The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Tuesday reaffirmed its commitment to complete the distribution of land titles while expanding support services for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. outlined the administration’s agrarian reform priorities in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.
In a news release, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III welcomed the President’s directives, saying the agency is prepared to fulfill its mandate.
“We are grateful for the President’s continued trust and unwavering support for the Department of Agrarian Reform. His clear directive inspires us to work even harder to complete the distribution of land titles, fully implement the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, and ensure that our agrarian reform beneficiaries receive not only secure land ownership but also the support services they need to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the country’s food security,” he said.
Estrella assured that the DAR remains focused on carrying out the President’s marching orders by speeding up land title distribution and expanding development interventions to empower ARBs and strengthen rural communities.
During his SONA, Marcos said the government has distributed more than 400,000 land titles, covering more than 500,000 hectares over the past four years, and is on track to complete the distribution of land titles to qualified ARBs by next year.
The President also said the government would finish the implementation of Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which condones the unpaid amortization, interests, and surcharges of qualified farmer-beneficiaries.
Marcos noted that many ARBs had waited 30 to 60 years to receive their land titles, while in some cases, the titles were eventually awarded to their children or grandchildren.
He also assured farmers that DAR would continue providing support services, including irrigation, farm-to-market roads, farm machinery, and credit assistance, to help improve agricultural productivity and increase farmers’ incomes. (PNA)