A total of P816,688,844.04 in amortization and other agrarian debts of 6,125 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from Negros Occidental were condoned by the government, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said Dec. 20.
The distribution of 9,707 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM), covering 6,413 hectares, was led by the DAR Dec. 19 at Cadiz Arena in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.
Over 6,120 agrarian reform beneficiaries from Negros Occidental had their agrarian debts condoned, while others received land titles, during a Department of Agrarian Reform activity in Cadiz City Dec. 19. | DAR photo
Of the condoned loans, P291,676,663.15 in agrarian debts of 1,428 ARBs were condoned through the issuance of 2,409 CoCRoMs covering 1,482.91 hectares of land in Negros Occidental 1.
Another P525,012,220.89 in agrarian debts of 4,697 ARBs were also condoned via the 7,298 CoCRoMs covering 4,930.76 hectares of land in Negros Occidental 2.
The DAR also distributed during the event in Cadiz 2,361 SPLIT Electronic Titles (e-Titles) to 893 ARBs, equivalent to 1,223 hectares of land; and 969 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), covering 418.86 hectares of land, to 682 ARBs.
In his speech, DAR Undersecretary for Foreign Assisted and Special Projects (FASPO) Jesry expressed the desire of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lighten the burdens of Filipino farmers through the distribution of true free lands.
“Inaasam-asam ni Pangulong Marcos para sa lahat ng ARB sa buong Pilipinas, hindi lamang sa Negros, na maisakatuparan at maibigay sa inyong lahat ang inyong lupa at wala nang aalalahaning obligasyon na babayaran pa sa bangko,” Palmares said.
The CoCRoM is a certificate that condones all loans, including interest, penalties, and surcharges incurred by ARBs from lands awarded under Presidential Decree (PD) 27, Republic Act 6657, and RA No. 9700.
This is in accordance with RA 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA), which was signed by Marcos on July 7, 2023, the DAR said in a press release.
Aside from Palmares, the distribution of titles and certificates was attended by Senator Francis Tolentino, assistant secretary for Special Concerns and External Affairs and Communication Operations Office Rodolfo Castil Jr., newly-appointed DAR Negros Island Region OIC regional director Lucrecia, Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., and Negros Occidental Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, among others. ||
