SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday honored the dedication of Filipino farmers as he led the distribution of agricultural and residential land titles and patents to strengthen land tenure security and support the agricultural sector.
During the “Handog ng Pangulo: Financial Assistance to Farm Laborers and Distribution of Titles” event at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, President Marcos, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), awarded agricultural and residential free patents and special patents to 455 farmer beneficiaries from Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Metro Manila.
“Nais kong iparating ang taos-puso kong pasasalamat sa inyong lahat—sa ating mga magsasaka at manggagawa na patuloy na nagsusumikap para sa isang masaganang bukas,” Marcos said, assuring farmers that the government will continue to provide assistance.
The President emphasized that the awarded titles recognize the farmers’ right to own the land they have long occupied and cultivated.
“Mga minamahal kong kababayan, ang mga titulo na ito ay pagkilala sa inyong karapatan na magmay-ari ng inyong sariling lupa,” he said.
Under the Handog Titulo Program, the DENR grants patents or land titles to qualified beneficiaries who have occupied and cultivated public lands for many years, whether for residential or agricultural use.
“Layunin ng Handog Titulo Program na palakasin ang partisipasyon ng mamamayan sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan,” Marcos added, noting that the benefits will extend to future generations.
In addition to the land titles, the DENR also turned over deeds of sale to 65 beneficiaries from four barangays in Taguig City.
The President encouraged recipients to maximize their land’s potential.
“Gawin ninyong produktibo ang inyong lupain. Gamitin ito nang tama para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino, para sa ating mga komunidad, at para sa kinabukasan ng ating minamahal na Pilipinas,” he said.
To further support farmers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed ₱10,000 in financial assistance to 2,970 farmer beneficiaries, along with family food packs and seedlings provided by the DENR to promote agricultural productivity and sustainability.
