Ilocos farmers get electronic land titles

BACARRA, Ilocos Norte, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) distributed 1,700 electronic titles to 885 farmers from Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur over the weekend.

The distribution of e-titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARB) is under the “Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling” project funded by the World Bank. The project is aimed at subdividing around 1.38 million hectares of collective certificates of land ownership awards nationwide.

“This project aims to provide ARBs with clear, defined property rights, empowering them to enhance agricultural productivity on their individually titled lands,” DAR regional director Maria Ana Francisco said during the awarding ceremony.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III urged beneficiaries to take good care of the land awarded to them and make it fruitful for their future.