CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — More than 3,000 farmers and farm laborers in Pampanga received land titles, financial assistance, and agricultural seedlings under the “Handog ng Pangulo: Financial Assistance to Farm Laborers and Distribution of Titles” program, a nationwide government initiative aimed at accelerating land distribution and strengthening agricultural livelihoods.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. personally led the turnover, joined by Cabinet officials and local leaders, underscoring his administration’s commitment to empowering the country’s farmers.
“Ang mga titulong ito ay pagkilala sa inyong karapatan na magmay-ari ng sariling lupa. Layon ng programang ito na palakasin ang inyong kabuhayan at partisipasyon sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan,” President Marcos said during the event.
The program, carried out in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), local government units, and private stakeholders, provided integrated services to eligible beneficiaries.
A major highlight was the Handog Titulo Program, an annual DENR initiative that issues land patents in line with Memorandum Circular No. 2019-04, which designates September as Handog Titulo Month.
This year, a total of 520 land titles were awarded to qualified recipients, including 188 residential free patents, 181 agricultural free patents, 86 special patents, and 65 deeds of sale.
The DSWD also distributed ₱10,000 financial assistance each to 2,904 farmers and farm laborers from Pampanga’s fourth district, while the provincial government provided family food packs to help sustain daily household needs.
To promote agricultural sustainability and food security, farmers additionally received seedlings and plants for cultivation.
“Mamimigay din ang DENR ng mga punla o seedlings para sa inyong lahat na narito ngayon. Nawa’y itanim ninyo ang mga ito nang may malasakit at pananagutan para sa kalikasan,” Marcos told the beneficiaries.
The President further assured farmers of the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline processes and strengthen agricultural support systems.
“Makakaasa kayo na patuloy nating pinapabilis at inaayos ang mga proseso upang mapangalagaan ang karapatan ng bawat Pilipino. Lahat ng ito ay ginagawa natin upang masiguro ang masaganang bukas para sa ating mga magsasaka at kanilang pamilya,” he said.
The initiative reflects the government’s whole-of-nation approach to advancing agricultural development, enhancing food security, and improving the welfare of farm laborers nationwide.
