PAGADIAN CITY, Dec 7 (PIA) -- A total of 1,663 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) covering 2,653 hectares were distributed to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB) in Zamboanga Peninsula on Tuesday.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III personally leads the distribution of CLOAs to the Leader Representatives of over 1,582 ARBs in the region under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project.

The 403 CLOAs were distributed for Zamboanga del Norte, 441 for Zamboanga del Sur, and 819 for Zamboanga Sibugay.

Under the Marcos administration, Secretary Estrella promises that the agency will continue to expedite the distribution of CLOAs to Agrarian Beneficiaries.

“Gusto namin madaliin ang pagdi-distribute ng Certificate of Land Ownership Awards or CLOA at lalo na yung mga manggagawa sa SPLIT program namin. Ang quota namin for the next 3-5 years ay 50,000. Yan ang talagang gusto namin gawin, and I think it is achievable,” Estrella said.

A ceremonial turn-over was also done for the Php 8 million worth of 31 completed projects, farm machinery, and equipment, benefitting more than 3,000 recipient ARBs in the region under the ARB Development Support Program.

According to Secretary Estrella, the national government, through the Agrarian Reform Department, and the Local Government Units (LGUs), is joining forces to bring support services to the communities.

Zamboanga del Sur Governor Victor Yu was honored to host the said activity for Agrarian beneficiaries and is hopeful that the projects and machinery will help improve the quality of life of his constituents.

“I hope nakita ng tao natin na ang gobyerno ay nagtatrabaho at nagsisikap para maging inspirasyon na gagawin din nila ang role nila as beneficiaries. Sikapin din nila na magproduce ng necessary for our community and especially gaganda din ang buhay nila because of the support of the government,” Hon. Gov. Yu said.

Meanwhile, Secretary Estrella announces during the press conference in Pagadian City that DAR will help the Congress, the Senate, and the Malacañang to immediately pass the Proposed New Agrarian Emancipation Act or the Condonation Law that will give way to the distribution of lands free from debt for the Filipinos. He assures its passage into law this month of December. (RVC/EDT/CCP/PIA9)