Marcos tells agrarian reform beneficiaries: Enrich our lands

A farmer transplant rice seedlings at a rice field in Pulilan, Bulacan on Monday, February 26, 2024. 
(INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) to commit to developing the country’s agricultural lands to benefit the country.

Marcos made the pronouncement as he led the distribution of 4,663 Certificates of Condonation and Release of Mortgage to 3,527 ARBs in a ceremony at the Eduardo Cojuangco Gymnasium in Paniqui, Tarlac.

“May isa lamang akong hiling sa inyo: Kaakibat ng mga biyayang ito ay ang responsibilidad na pagyamanin pa ang ating mga lupa, hindi lamang sa ikauunlad ninyo, kung hindi para sa buong Pilipinas,” Marcos said in a speech.

(I have only one request for you: Along with these blessings is the responsibility to further enrich our lands, not only for your development, but for the whole Philippines.)

Marcos then renewed his commitment to support ARBs and in further improving the country’s agricultural sector.

“Higit pa nating pagtutulungan ang pag-unlad ng sektor ng agrikultura dahil malaki ang paniniwala kong mas marami pa tayong kaya at dapat gawin,” he added.

(We will work together more to develop the agricultural sector because I strongly believe that we can and should do more.)

READ: Marcos to farmers, ARBs: Utilize your land responsibly

The distribution of certificates is in compliance with Republic Act No. 11953, which mandated the dismissal of all pending court cases involving the unsettled payments of beneficiaries who received land under agrarian reform.

The Department of Agrarian Reform, for its part, said it aims to distribute certificates of condonation to as many as 300,000 ARBs by 2025.