Marcos says farmers foundation of PH economy

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Monday emphasized that the farmers have been the foundation of strengthening the Philippine economy.

''Nawa'y maging inspirasyon ang mga titulo at tulong na ito upang lalo pa ninyong pag-ibayuhin ang inyong pagsisikap sa sarili para sa inyong mga pamilya at kasama na rin para sa ating bansa,'' Marcos said in his speech during the distribution of land titles in Dumaguete City.

(I hope the land titles distributed would serve as an inspiration for the farmers to do better in their work for their families and even the entire nation.)

''Kayo ang pundasyon ng mahigit na 100 milyong Pilipino, ang inyong mga ani ang nagpapalakas sa ating mga mamamayan at ang inyong mga sakripisyo ang nagpapalakas sa ating ekonomiya,'' he added.

(You are the foundation of more than 100 million Filipinos. Your crops make every Filipino strong and your sacrifices strengthen the economy.)

Marcos made a commitment that his administration would provide lands not only to farmers in Central Visayas but to all farmers in the country.

Marcos distributed a total of 2,866.5 hectares of agricultural lands to 2,426 agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region.

The President also led the turnover of farm-to-market roads (FMRs) worth P100 million and a total of P17.5 million worth of farm machinery and equipment.

The Department of Agrarian Reform said seven FMRs were constructed and funded under the Agrarian Reform Fund. All are situated in Negros Oriental in the municipalities of Amlan, Dauin, Ayungon, Tanjay, Bais City, Tayasan and Bindoy.

Marcos said the distribution of land titles is in accordance with Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act

He has said the law will free Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from their debts. In Region 7, Marcos said the DAR has already provided 4,614 hectares of land this year. — RSJ/KG, GMA Integrated News