Ceremonial Signing of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act and Awarding of Land Titles

Kalayaan Hall and Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace
July 7, 2023

“Itutuloy natin ang repormang agraryo, hindi lang sa pamimigay ng lupa sa mga magsasakang hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring lupa, kundi upang tuluyan silang palayain mula sa pagkakautang na pumipigil sa kanilang ganap na pagmamay-ari sa lupang bigay ng pamahalaan,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. affirmed as he reasserted the Administration’s strong commitment to ensure assistance to Filipino farmers through effective agrarian reform programs.

The President made these remarks as he signed the New Agrarian Emancipation Act that condones all unpaid amortizations of farmers from the land they received from the government.

“As President, I assure you that we will never stop providing our farmers with support they need to help make their farms more productive while also improving their lives and that of their families,” he conveyed.

Under the new Law, a total of PhP57.56 billion of unpaid amortizations from the principal debt incurred by 619,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) will be condoned. According to President Marcos Jr., the government will also assume the obligation of ARBs for the payment of compensation to landowners under the Voluntary Land Transfer or Direct Payment Schemes.

“Sa ngalan ng ating mga magsasaka at ng sambayanang Pilipino, taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa Kongreso at sa Senado sa agarang pagpanday ng batas na ito. Ikinararangal kong pirmahan ang batas na ito upang tuluyan nang makalaya sa pagkakautang ang ating mga magsasaka,” he expressed.

The Chief Executive also noted that it is time for the government to prioritize the needs of all Filipino farmers, considering their major contributions to the country’s agriculture sector towards a more robust economy.

“Tutulungan at susuportahan namin kayo sa inyong bawat hakbang upang kayo ay umunlad, magtagumpay at makatulong sa pagbibigay ng sapat at masustansiyang pagkain sa ating mga mamamayan,” President Marcos Jr. assured.

After the ceremonial signing, the President proceeded to distribute land titles to several beneficiaries representing around 31,000 land titles to an estimated 23,000 ARBs.

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