President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. distributed Electronic Titles (E-titles) and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to over a thousand Agrarian Reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Western Visayas on Thursday.

In a speech, the President said 2,643.5 hectares of agricultural land would be distributed to 1,932 ARBs in Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Guimaras.

The land distribution is expected to improve the living conditions of farmers.

Of the 1,932 ARBs gathered during the event at Passi Arena in Iloilo, 1,725 received E-titles, while 207 received CLOAs.

The President acknowledged the warm welcome from the people of Iloilo—the “Heart of the Philippines”

“Kapag sinabi natin na ang Iloilo ay ang “Heart of the Philippines,” hindi ito isang simpleng slogan lamang. Ang totoo, ramdam na ramdam ko po ang inyong mainit na pagtanggap sa aming lahat,” he said.

“Narito po tayo upang tulungan kayong mapalago ang sektor ng agrikultura. Namahagi po tayo ng mga E-Titles at saka Certificate of Land Ownership Award o ‘yung tinatawag nga na CLOA,”he added.

The Chief Executive emphasized that every E-title and CLOA distributed would grant ARBs freedom from debt, assurance of their welfare, and the full capacity to plan for a better future.

He also recalled his last visit in December, where he listened to the farmers’ needs, as he affirmed that the distributed lands would be the long-term solution to their problems.

“Ang bawat titulo ang ating pinagkaloob… Ang bawat titulo ay nagbibigay ng kalayaan sa ating mga magsasaka. Kalayaan mula sa mga pagkakautang, kalayaan [na] magkaroon ng tiyak na kinabukasan para sa kanilang pamilya, at kalayaan na makapagplano para mas maunlad ang inyong mga bukas,” President Marcos pointed out. PND