Aquino: Luisita farmers to start getting land in September

President Benigno Aquino III

MANILA, Philippines—Beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita owned by President Benigno Aquino’s family will start receiving the titles of their lands in September, the President himself announced this during his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday.

“Kung may isa man pong paksang paboritong ikabit sa pangalan ko, ito ay ang Hacienda Luisita (If there is a favorite topic  I’d like my family name to be identified with, it is the Hacienda Luisita),” Aquino said.

“Nais ko lang pong iulat na noong Pebrero, alinsunpod sa utos ng Korte Supreme, nakumpeto na ng Department of Agrarian Reform ang listahan ng mga kwalipikadong benepesyaryo na mabibigyan ng lupa sa Luisita (I would like to report that in February, according to the order of the Supreme Court, the Department of Agrarian Reform’s list of qulified beneficiries who will receive land in Luisita was completed),” he said.

Just last week, the President said authorities have started identifying the lands that the beneficiaries would get.

“Magsisimula ng ikaloob ang mga titulo sa Setyembre nitong taong ito,” Aquino said.