Release funds to farmers — Duterte

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday ordered the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) to make funds available “as soon as possible” to thousands of farmers who are beneficiaries of the government’s land reform program.

“Release it, give it to the farmers for fertilizer and other needs for their production,” the President told the LBP officers.

Duterte was guest of honor at the Department of Agrarian Reform’s distribution of certificates of land ownership acquisition (CLOAs) to 1,680 farmer-beneficiaries in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat.

Each beneficiary would have at least 2.55 hectares of the total 4,266.28 hectares of land that were covered.

He also prodded LBP to not just wait for farmers to come to their offices but go the extra mile by reaching out to the farmers to attend to their needs. 

“Land Bank is for farmers and yet it has rumbled on just like a commercial bank. It should be the bank that should reach out to you,” he stressed.

Duterte reasoned that with agriculture being the weakest link in the country’s economy, farmers should be given the most in terms of assistance. 

“The Philippines is nothing without our farmers. I am one with the entire nation in recognizing this. I urge you to demonstrate solidarity in building a stronger economy,” he said.  

The President noted that he is humbled and proud to personally hand over the titles to beneficiaries and stressed that things should not just end with CLOA distribution.

He said this should be followed through with assistance the government could give to the sector.

If he would have his way, Duterte wanted farmers to be given their own tractors to help them in their production.

Noting the anti-corruption stance of his administration, he said he hopes the assistance would reach the farmers without any individual or group getting money along the way.