(screenshot from I Love Taguig FB Page)
The government aid was distributed by the Office of the President, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Taguig City Government to farmers, fishermen, senior citizens, disabled persons, and officials of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations.
(Screenshot from I Love Taguig FB Page)
In her address to the attendees, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano stated that they could offer no material gift for the President's birthday except to pray for him.
(Screenshot from I Love Taguig FB page)
"On his birthday, let us pray for, firstly: Divine Wisdom. Divine Wisdom comes from the Lord, so that his decisions are guided not just by the temperature of politics but by the Lord's will for our country. Secondly, as you serve, you need to be in good physical condition, don't you? So, our second prayer for the President is for good health. Thirdly, safety and protection," said Cayetano.
The "President's Gift: Adequate Services for All" initiative was conducted simultaneously across the country, in about 82 locations, on President Marcos's actual birthday. It aims to improve the lives of the citizens through starter programs, training, and assistance to extend the reach of government services.
Yesterday, September 12, 2024, President Marcos celebrated the eve of his birthday at the Department of Agrarian Reform Central Office in Quezon City by waiving the debts of farmer beneficiaries of the agrarian reform worth P270 million.
Together with DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, who was also celebrating his 64th birthday that day, President Marcos distributed Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) worth P270 million and Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to 1,400 farmer beneficiaries of the agrarian reform.
Thousands of farmer beneficiaries, members of the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organization (ARBO) from Bulacan and Batangas, attended the event, along with the main officials of DAR, leaders of international organizations, cabinet officials, lawmakers, and the President's two sons, William Vincent and Joseph Simon Marcos.
(Video by Vera Victoria)
In his speech to the farmer beneficiaries, the President assured them of the government's ongoing support through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Act and the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
"This is part of the implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which aims to ease your lives and alleviate your hardship due to amortization, interest, and other surcharges that have almost become synonymous with farmland for many years. This means that the beneficiaries of this program will be free from debt for the land you are cultivating."
The President also reminded the farmers to be responsible with their CLOA and COCROM. "Although the COCROM and CLOA are considered a blessing, let's not forget that these come with responsibilities - to care for and grow our farms and livelihoods."
The Master of Ceremonies was DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Rowena Niña Taduran, who regularly tours different agrarian reform communities with President Marcos and Secretary Estrella as they distribute CLOA.
(Screenshot from RTVM)
The government aims to distribute a total of 1 million CLOA by the end of President Marcos's term in 2028.
