Marcos says gov't set to exceed 2023 target for land distribution

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said the distribution of land titles to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) is the best Christmas gift as the government is likely to exceed its target for 2023.

Marcos graced the distribution of a total of 2,779 land titles to 2,143  ARBs covering approximately 2,903 hectares of agricultural land in the City of Passi, Iloilo.

"In the same manner, ito nga 'yung aking sinasabi ang pag-deliver ng mga fertilizer, ng mga makinarya, mga facilities, ay makakatulong upang makamtan natin ang ating hinahanap at ang ating pinapangarap na magandang kinabukasan para sa ating mga magsasaka, para sa ating mga sinasaka at para sa susunod na henerasyon," Marcos said in his speech.

(The delivery of fertilizers, machineries, and facilities will help in providing a better future and livelihood to our farmers and the next generation.)

"With the distribution of these titles in Western Visayas, in other areas, we are set to exceed our nationwide target for land distribution for the year 2023. So para sa akin, ito na ang pinakamagandang Christmas gift para sa ating lahat (For me, this is the best Christmas gift for everyone)," he added without mentioning the actual target. 

The distributed land titles were derived from the Support to Parcelization for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project. These include 2,687 titles covering 2,784 hectares, allocated to 2,062 ARBs, as well as 92 titles for new lands covering 118.7 hectares, distributed to 81 ARBs.

In July, Marcos signed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which will condone the amortization of principal payments, interest and penalties on land tilled by farmers.

The new law, or the Republic Act No. 11953, will benefit 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) as it writes off P57,557 billion of their loans.

Boy scout

Also in Passi, Marcos graced the 18th National Scout Jamboree where he took his oath as chief scout of the Boy Scout of the Philippines. 

In his speech, the President stressed that being a member of the Boy Scouts plays a vital role in fostering the spirit of camaraderie and leadership among the youth. 

"With its unique blend of education, adventure, fun, scouting continues to inspire our young people to become active and productive members of society. Each of you here is called upon to help shape our future and create a better and more sustainable world," he said.

"To our beloved scouts, remember that you are here also to have fun, and to have an adventure, but to learn also about positive agents of change of which you can be part of," Marcos added. —KBK, GMA Integrated News