San juan city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday pledged to advance agricultural reforms aimed at improving the lives of Filipino farmers. Marcos made the commitment as he honored the outstanding agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), ARB organizations (ARBOs), and agrarian reform communities (ARCs) during the Gawad Agraryo 2025 at the Makabagong San Juan Government Center.
According to Philippines News Agency, the President expressed gratitude to the awardees, describing them as symbols of hope and resilience. He acknowledged their sacrifices in strengthening the foundation of society and assured continued government support through reforms designed to ease their challenges and improve their livelihoods.
Marcos highlighted the administration's commitment to aiding farmers in becoming more productive. This includes ongoing support such as providing farm machinery and equipment. He noted efforts like distributing nearly 70,000 Certificates of Land Ownership Award and releasing thousands of Certificates of Condonation to relieve farmers of debt burdens.
Encouraging ARBs to adopt modern technology, Marcos urged them to enhance their skills and knowledge for better productivity. He emphasized the importance of nurturing farmland and improving harvests with government assistance, aiming to sow the seeds of change for a successful New Philippines. He reiterated the goal of ensuring food security for all Filipinos through collaborative efforts to support farmers.
The Gawad Agraryo 2025, themed Repormang Agraryo: Binhi ng Kaunlaran at Tagumpay, acknowledges the crucial contributions of ARBs, ARBOs, and ARCs. These groups have transformed awarded lands into productive farms, provided essential support services, and developed sustainable communities.
During the event, Marcos, alongside Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III, presented awards to the top 10 Most Outstanding ARBs, three Most Progressive ARBOs, and four Most Progressive ARCs. Each outstanding ARB received a plaque, medal, and PHP25,000 cash award, while the most progressive ARBOs and ARCs were honored with a plaque, medal, and projects valued at PHP70,000.
