President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. recently reassured Filipino farmers that the government is actively working on flood control projects to mitigate the effects of climate change on agriculture. Speaking at an event in Alabel, Sarangani, where he distributed land ownership and mortgage release certificates, Marcos highlighted the nearing completion of flood mitigation projects at Bagacay Creek in Alabel and Badtasan River in Kiamba.
Marcos praised the natural beauty and agricultural richness of Sarangani, emphasizing the government’s commitment to safeguarding these assets against increasingly frequent typhoons caused by climate change. He expressed hope that these initiatives would significantly reduce the risk of severe flooding and crop damage.
During the event, Marcos distributed 1,251 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) and 13,527 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoMs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries in the Soccsksargen region. The CLOAs covered 2,174.52 hectares in Sarangani, while the CoCRoMs relieved 11,699 beneficiaries of debts totaling PHP939,105,338 across 21,098.65 hectares.
Marcos committed to fulfilling his father’s legacy of land reform, vowing to complete the distribution of land certificates within his term. He stressed the importance of finishing this task to honor their ancestors and ensure a stable and prosperous future for the ‘New Philippines’.
The President also mentioned Republic Act 11953, the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which addresses PHP57.56 billion in agrarian arrears, benefiting 610,054 beneficiaries farming over 1,173,101.57 hectares.