Marcos vows to address farmers’ woes amid El NiÑo, La NiÑa

GOV’T SERVICE President Marcos meets with farmers in Mindanao to assure them of government assistance amid the drought brought by El Niño and as the country braces for La Niña. The
President also led the distribution of land titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries during his visit to Koronadal City on Friday. —PRESIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

President Marcos on Friday assured land reform beneficiaries that the government would not stop in addressing the problems that they face amid the El Niño phenomenon and the forthcoming La Niña.

The President made this promise as he traveled Koronadal City in South Cotabato province and Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte province to distribute certificates of land ownership awards and e-titles to 8,727 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

In a speech in Koronadal City on Friday morning, Marcos sought to allay the beneficiaries’ concerns over the prolonged dry spell and drought from El Niño and the expected impact of La Niña later this year.

“We will continue to address the challenges faced by the agriculture sector because of the El Niño and the threat of La Niña, and other effects of climate change. We will not tire of going around the country to bring the government’s services to you,” he said.

On Thursday, the President was in Tawi-Tawi and Maguindanao to turn over P50 million in financial assistance to El Niño-hit farmers and fishermen in Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Directive

This month, he visited several areas in Mindanao such as Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City and General Santos City, to bring aid from the Office of the President.

Marcos also reiterated his directive for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to fast-track its distribution of e-titles and certificates of land ownership award in order to finish the implementation of the land reform program by 2028.

“I urge the DAR to hasten the distribution of lands and coordinate with different government agencies in order to expand the services for our farmers. The government is your partner in improving your yield and lives,” the President said.

In Koronadal City, the President led the distribution of 4,351 titles covering 5,918.44 hectares to 4,271 beneficiaries in South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat.

On Friday afternoon, he went to Dipolog City to distribute 4,956 titles covering 7,214.7 ha to 4,456 beneficiaries in Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.

In an interview with reporters in Koronadal, Marcos reassured that he would try to finish the distribution of lands to farmers.

“We will try our hardest. Of course, my ambition is to finish it before my term ends. This will not stop until all qualified beneficiaries receive their land titles. Even if I am no longer in office, we will see to it that the distribution of land titles will go on,” he said.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III vowed to carry out the President’s orders.

“If we cannot print the titles by ourselves (government agencies), we will outsource it. What is important is that we distribute all land titles before [Marcos] steps down,” Estrella added.