DAVAO CITY — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has realized the long-held dream of farmers in Zamboanga Province by distributing land titles and providing support services during a region-wide event at the Zamboanga Del Norte Convention Center on Friday. President Marcos personally handed over more than 4,900 land titles and extended various forms of assistance to farmers from Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
“Narito ako kasama ang mga kawani ng Department of Agrarian Reform upang isakatuparan ang matagal nang pinapangarap ng ating mga magsasaka,” President Marcos said. “Ngayong araw, mamamahagi tayo ng mahigit apat na libo at siyam na raang titulo para sa ating mga Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries mula sa Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur at Zamboanga Sibugay. Ang mga titulong ito ay sumasaklaw sa mahigit pitong libong ektarya ng lupang pangsakahan.”
The President expressed hope that this program would significantly improve the lives of farmers. Of the total land titles distributed, 1,211 were given to Zamboanga Sibugay, 2,211 to Zamboanga del Norte, and 1,534 to Zamboanga del Sur.
In addition to the land titles, President Marcos also turned over more than Php 15 million worth of farming tools and equipment aimed at increasing production and easing the workload of 15,773 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs). Specifically, Php 3.6 million worth of machinery and equipment were allocated to Zamboanga del Norte, over Php 9.1 million to Zamboanga del Sur, and almost Php 3 million to Zamboanga Sibugay.
These provisions are part of the sustainable livelihood support projects for rice and vegetable production, major crop block farming, and chicken egg production, among others. “Ang lahat ng ito ay naglalayong gawing mas masagana ang inyong mga sakahan, mapagaan ang inyong paghahanapbuhay, at mapabuti ang antas ng pamumuhay ng inyong pamilya,” Marcos said.
The President also hoped that the distribution of land titles would inspire farmers and their children to continue supporting the government in maintaining food security.
During his visit, President Marcos underscored the importance of witnessing firsthand the proper implementation of government programs by local governments for the benefit of Filipinos. “Gusto kong masaksihan mismo ang tamang pagpapatupad ng ating mga kagawaran at lokal na pamahalaan ng mga programa ng gobyerno, at masiguro na tunay na napapakinabangan ito ng ating mga kababayan. Iyan po talaga ang hangarin at dalangin ko para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino—ang magkaroon ng produktibo, maginhawa, at mapayapang pamumuhay,” he said.
The Chief Executive directed the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Land Management Services of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Land Bank of the Philippines, and all local officials in Zamboanga to expedite the process of land title distribution to ensure more farmers across the country can own their lands. “Palalawigin pa natin ito hindi lamang dito sa Zamboanga kung hindi maging sa iba pang sulok ng bansa upang mas marami pang benepisyaryo ang makinabang rito,” he said.
