President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday called for support to Filipino farmers by establishing community gardens, highlighting their significant role in achieving national food security.

During the distribution of e-titles and certificates of condonation with release of mortgage (COCROMs) in Lucena City, Quezon, Marcos stressed the importance of agriculture in urban areas to ensure that every Filipino has access to nutritious food.

He called for collaboration between the government and the private sector to promote community gardens in schools, homes and neighborhoods.

“Gusto ko rin hikayatin ang ating mga kababayan na tulungan natin ang ating mga magsasaka sa paggawa ng pagkain (I also want to encourage our countrymen to help our farmers in producing food),” Marcos said.

“Kung mas marami pa ang magtatayo ng mga hardin sa kanilang mga paaralan, tahanan at komunidad, hindi na natin masyadong pino-problema ang mura at masustansyang pagkain (If more people would build gardens in their schools, homes, and communities, we would no longer have to worry so much about cheap and nutritious food),” he added.

Marcos said the government is committed to helping local farmers increase their income with the help of modern technology and methods.

He urged the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform and local government units to work together to develop farmers’ knowledge and skills.

“Kailangan natin silang gabayan sa mga makabagong pamamaraan at kagamitan sa pagsasaka (We need to guide them in modern farming methods and equipment),” Marcos said.

During the event, Marcos led the distribution of e-titles and COCROMs to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Quezon province.

Fifteen ARBs received e-titles covering 30.8064 hectares of agricultural land under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project.

A total of 11,497 COCROMs were also handed over to 9,811 ARBs for the condonation of debts worth PHP441.71 million.

The initiative aims to relieve farmers’ financial burdens by formally releasing them from their debts and mortgage obligations as stated in Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. (PNA)