The AGRI Party-list has voiced its support for Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte’s order to all agencies to identify government-owned lands that can be distributed to land reform beneficiaries.
Executive Order (EO) 75, which was recently signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, directs the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to acquire all government-owned lands originally devoted to or suitable for agriculture—but are no longer actually, directly, and exclusively used for the purpose for which they have been reserved—for distribution to qualified beneficiaries.
The EO also gives all departments, bureaus and government instrumentalities 30 days to identify and submit a list of lands that can be covered by land reform.
“Martinez said it is only right that government itself lead in land conversion efforts.”
“Definitely this is good news, and we hope that all of government will comply with this directive,” AGRI Party-list Secretary General Benjie Martinez said.
Martinez said it is only right that government itself lead in land conversion efforts.
“Dapat pamahalaan ang mismong nangunguna sa land conversion. We cannot be hypocritical by ordering conversion of private land while neglecting that government itself has used land reserved for agriculture for other purposes,” stressed Martinez.
Martinez added that the order would help fast-track land redistribution.
Data from the DAR show that, as of 2018, 561,131 hectares of both public and private agricultural lands remain undistributed. The DAR further said it would take at least a decade to distribute at an annual distribution target of 50,000 hectares.
“It’s equally important that we lay the groundwork for modern and productive agriculture.”
Martinez, however, noted that the government’s duty to farmers does not stop with land reform.
“It’s equally important that we lay the groundwork for modern and productive agriculture. Dapat mag-buhos tayo ng support services,” he said.
Martinez added that alongside land reform, government should also provide easy access to affordable financing options, technology, and specialized knowledge.
