The government has condoned over PHP88.8 million in loans, debts, and interest owed on agricultural lands by 3,296 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across four provinces in the Bicol Region in a ceremony here on Tuesday.

During the event held at the Legazpi City Convention Center, Senator Imee Marcos led the distribution of land titles and certificates of condonation with release of mortgage (CoCRoM) through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) 5 (Bicol).

The land titles and certificates were awarded to ARBs from Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes, covering around 5,397.37 hectares of agricultural land.

“It will be ready, and you will receive the good news that we have a Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA), we have e-titles through the Support to Parcelization of Land for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project. You indeed have no more debt with the CoCRoM; the land is free, and we will give you the title,” Marcos told the beneficiaries in Filipino.

She said the land titles they received were the result of their sacrifices, hard work, and dedication to agriculture.

Lorenzo Bronola from Bacon, Sorsogon, thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the condonation of PHP261,558 in unpaid amortizations, interests, and charges on his 29,088 square meters of agricultural land.

“Thank you to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for allowing me to be one of the beneficiaries of this project. I will not think about the amount incurred by my land due to unpaid interest, loans, and amortizations. It feels great not to worry about debt anymore,” he said.

Manuel Camacho from Ligao City, Albay, also expressed relief after the government canceled his PHP90,000 amortization.

“This really helps me; I can now use the money that was meant for the LandBank for other needs,” he said.

Renato Calizar from Bagamanoc, Catanduanes, said the distribution of the land titles for his 22,315 square meters of agricultural land was timely.

“I can now farm without fear in my mind and heart. I already have a land title and no debts; it’s much more peaceful to work like this,” he added.

Rafael Berana from Casiguran, Sorsogon, praised the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act No. 11953), signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on July 7, 2023. This law allows the government to condone all unpaid debts and loans on agricultural land.

“Thanks to President Marcos, we are enjoying this kind of government service. Thank you, Mr. President,” he said.

DAR-5 reported that from July 2022 until October 2024, a total of 8,515 land titles have been awarded to 7,938 ARBs in the region, covering 13,230.90 hectares of agricultural land. (PNA)