CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) awarded land titles to qualified beneficiaries under its Handog Titulo program.
The agency distributed 29 agricultural free patents equivalent to a total land area of about 15.6 hectares to 26 qualified farmers in Dipaculao, Aurora.
It likewise granted 22 land titles covering an area of about 3.65 hectares to women in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Plaridel and Bulakan towns in Bulacan.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo underscored that land tenure security is vital to agricultural development and rural prosperity.
“By issuing agricultural free patents, we are empowering farmers to unlock the full potential of their land, driving productivity, and fostering economic resilience in rural communities,” he said.
He added that the agency will expand and fast-track land title applications to communities, so that security of tenure may be provided to beneficiaries while local productivity is maximized.
In addition, Pablo highlighted that granting land titles to women is a way of recognizing their significant role in promoting land rights and management.
“Stronger women’s rights to land and productive assets are linked to a wide range of benefits such as improved living conditions, better nutrition and food security, better health, higher earnings, and local productivity,” he stated.
DENR’s Handog Titulo program aims to push forward rural development and create opportunities for economic advancement by empowering farmers with land tenure security. (CLJD/JLDC-PIA 3)