7,210 land titles given to farmers in Bicol

By Keren Anne Bernadas

LEGAZPI CITY --- Up to 3,320 land titles covering 5,045 hectares of agricultural land have been distributed to 3,420 farmers in the Bicol region as part of the Department of Agrarian Reform’s land tenure security program for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

Also, 3,890 electronic titles encompassing 6,405 hectares were handed over to 3,549 ARBs under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) initiative.

The distribution of lands to farmers has been vigorously implemented under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., the DAR said.

The department, under the Bagong Pilipinas banner program of President Marcos Jr., continues to uphold and implement comprehensive agrarian reform for Filipino farmers with its massive and equitable land distribution as well as boosting agricultural productivity, said the agrarian regional office during a Kapihan forum on June 25.

The tillers have finally secured their lands under the current administration, thanks to its intensified land tenure improvement programs, according to DAR Regional Director Reuben Theodore Sindac.

Sindac added that the distribution was historic because it marked the first time a president led the land distribution in the Bicol region.

“Naging makasaysayan din po ang taong ito para sa amin dahil mismong si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. po ang nagbahagi ng 2,115 titulo ng lupa sa ating mga benepisyaryo,” Sindac said in a speech.

(This year has become historic for us as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distributed the 2,115 land titles to our beneficiaries.)

After 32 years of enduring hardships and tireless efforts, Cresenciano Colagong, an 83-year-old farmer from Polangui, Albay, finally received the title to the land he had cultivated since 2004.

When he retired from being a tailor from 1965 to 2004, Colagong used his pension to buy a water pump and improve the land he was tilling.

Colagong, aided by his carabao, has transformed the land into a productive farm.

Over the years, Colagong has faced financial losses due to the rising cost of agricultural inputs and commodities. He even considered giving up his land and farming altogether.

Colagong is one of the oldest beneficiaries in the region. He expressed his joy and gratitude for the government’s efforts in the agrarian sector, saying, “Masayang masaya ako. Maraming, maraming salamat po, Pangulong Bongbong Marcos.”

(I’m really happy. Thank you very much, President Bongbong Marcos.)

Sindac also confirmed that the government’s beneficiary development and sustainability programs are ongoing, along with the distribution of lands.

Since President Marcos took office, a total of 713 units of various farm machinery and equipment have been distributed, totaling more than P66.5 million, according to Sindac.

A total of nine farm-to-market roads have been completed, and nine others are still in progress. The completed roads cover a total distance of 39.43 km. with a total cost of P893 million.

These farm-to-market roads directly serve 17 institutional markets and are estimated to generate more than P6.6 million in yield, according to Sindac.

The DAR has reported a total of 32,210 registered agrarian reform beneficiaries from 518 organizations across the Bicol region.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, mas paiigtingin pa natin ang puwersa ng DAR sa rehiyon, upang mas lalong mailapit ang serbisyo ng gobyerno sa bawat magsasakang Bicolano. Mas pagtitibayin ang kanilang karapatan sa kanilang lupang sinasaka at mas mapagiginhawa ang estado ng kanilang pamumuhay,” Sindac concluded.

(Under Bagong Pilipinas, we will further strengthen the DAR’s presence and intervention in the region, so that government services can be brought closer to every Bicolano farmer. Their rights to their cultivated land will be strengthened and their living conditions will be uplifted.) (KAB-PIA 5)

CRESENCIANO Colagong, an 83-year-old farmer from Polangui, Albay finally received the title to the land he cultivated since 2004.