President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s legacy program has fulfilled the long-standing aspiration of farmers to finally own the land they have been tilling for decades, according to Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Anton Lagdameo.
Lagdameo made the statement during the Regionwide Land Titles and COCROM Distribution event in Davao City. During the event, agrarian reform beneficiaries received land titles and official documents certifying their full ownership of agricultural lands.
The distribution is part of the government's implementation of Republic Act No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which President Marcos signed in July 2023.
Under this law, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributes Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) to qualified farmers.
These documents formally recognize farmers as legitimate landowners and free them from financial obligations incurred under the agrarian reform program.
"The President's legacy program has made it possible for farmers to finally claim the land they have long cultivated as their own," Lagdameo said, representing Marcos at the event. "This initiative is part of our government's ongoing efforts to address the needs of farmers while ensuring food security for the nation."
Lagdameo added that the land title distribution is supported by complementary programs from DAR and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
These programs include financial assistance, production support, and capacity-building interventions to help farmers increase their productivity and income.
"To our farmers, we salute you. We hope this moment brings renewed strength as you continue to grow your farms and contribute to national development," Lagdameo said.
He also thanked DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III for the swift and effective implementation of agrarian programs and reforms. Beyond land distribution, Lagdameo stressed that the government is committed to equipping beneficiaries with the necessary tools and support to address persistent challenges in the agricultural sector.
To recall, Marcos signed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act on 7 July 2023, following his call in his 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA) for Congress to pass legislation that would relieve agrarian reform beneficiaries of their debt.
The law has since enabled the rollout of land title distributions across the country, including today's event in the Davao Region.
The Marcos administration continues to prioritize the modernization of agriculture as a key strategy to ensure food security and strengthen a sector long regarded as the backbone of the Philippine economy.