ILOILO – After decades of waiting, 1,932 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Western Visayas have finally received their land titles.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. led the distribution of 2,337 electronic land titles (e-titles) and 251 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) at the City of Passi Arena yesterday.
The ARBs, all farmers, were from the provinces of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Guimaras. President Marcos reassured them of the government’s continued support amid numerous agricultural challenges.
“Our government recognizes the many trials you face in farming. However, we promise you will not be neglected. All these efforts are part of a larger goal to ensure that no farmer is left behind,” said Marcos in Filipino.
The distribution of e-titles and CLOAs was a step to enhance the agricultural sector’s progress, he stressed.
“Each title provides freedom to our farmers — freedom from debt, a secure future for their families, and the liberty to plan for a more prosperous tomorrow,” said Marcos.
Here is the breakdown of beneficiaries who received e-titles and CLOAs:
* Aklan – 724 e-titles for 617 ARBs
* Antique – 100 e-titles for 74 ARBs
* Guimaras – 16 CLOAs for 13 ARBs and seven e-titles for five ARBs
* Iloilo – 169 CLOAs for 138 ARBs and 856 e-titles for 561 ARBs
Reflecting on his visit to Passi City last December 2023, President Marcos noted the visible needs of the farmers.
“Today, I am here again, bringing solutions that offer hope — not just temporarily, but for the long term. Therefore, today, over one thousand seven hundred beneficiaries will receive e-titles, and more than two hundred farmers will receive their CLOAs,” Marcos said.
The initiative to distribute CLOAs and e-titles began during the era of his father, the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., he said, with the then Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) secretary Conrado Estrella, grandfather of the current DAR secretary Conrado Estrella III.
President Marcos also highlighted his administration’s efforts to alleviate ARBs’ land debt burdens, referencing the signing of Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act in 2023. This act has benefitted over 600,000 beneficiaries nationwide by freeing them from debt.
“As with this project’s story, we know each of you has your own life story, your own dreams. Now, these are not just dreams but realities we are achieving together in the New Philippines. The success of each farmer is the success of every Filipino,” said Marcos.
The event was also attended by key officials including the Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Anton Lagdameo; Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cesar Chavez; DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III; DAR Undersecretary Jesry Palmares; and local officials from Iloilo province such as Passi City’s Mayor Stephen Palmares, Uswag Ilonggo party’list’s Congt. James “Jojo” Ang, Iloilo 2nd District’s Cong. Michael Gorriceta, Iloilo 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor representing Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., Iloilo 4th District’s Cong. Ferjenel Biron, and Iloilo 5th District’s Cong. Raul Tupas./PN
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. leads the distribution of 2,337 electronic land titles and 251 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) at the City of Passi Arena in Passi City, Iloilo on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024. Photo shows President Marcos handing over a CLOA to one of the beneficiaries.
PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE PHOTO
