The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Bicol distributed a total of 6,960 land titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoMs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the region on Thursday.

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III led the distribution of a total of 3,497 land titles to 2,697 ARBs, covering 5,929.36 hectares of agricultural land at the Fuerte Camsur Sports Complex in Pili, Camarines Sur.

Estrella said the initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to expedite the issuance of land titles before the end of his term.

“All that’s left is 800,000 titles, and we still have two and a half years. This year, we completed 300,000. We thank the Lord because we are finding solutions, and you can expect us to finish this,” he said in an interview.

Estrella noted that claims currently in court will need to await judicial decisions.

He also assured Bicolano farmers of ongoing assistance and support services for agrarian reform beneficiaries to enhance food production and security.

The distributed titles included 1,286 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and 2,211 electronic titles (e-titles) generated under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project.

Under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (R.A. 11953), 3,429 CoCRoMs were also distributed, effectively condoning PHP 48.8 million in unpaid land amortizations and related debts of ARBs.

Sonny Orias, a beneficiary from San Fernando, Camarines Sur, said that the condonation is a significant help for his daily livelihood, as they are now free from the debt that used to keep him awake at night. “The PHP 90,000 that was forgiven by DAR is a blessing from heaven for us,” he said.

“In my 50 years of farming, it is only now that we have felt the genuine concern and love of the government for us farmers. To our beloved Secretary Conrado Estrella III, Manong Conrado, thank you very much! We can feel your love for the agricultural sector. Because of your service in DAR, you have proven that we farmers are the true heroes of the Bagong Pilipinas,” he added.

Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte expressed gratitude to Marcos for the distribution of land titles to farmers.

“The land titles are not just pieces of paper; they are symbols of dignity, security, and a better future. This is the answer to the prayers of many Bicolano farmers,” he said.

As part of the event, 34 Agrarian Reform Beneficiary Organizations (ARBOs) were issued Certificates of Registration (CORs), reflecting ongoing support for their development under the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program.

Seven units of farm machinery and equipment, valued at PHP7,908,000, were turned over to six ARBOs in Camarines Sur to further enhance their productivity and enterprise development. (PNA)