Hundreds of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Oriental Mindoro can now move forward with renewed hope after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) waived PHP18.2 million worth of agrarian debt, awarded secure land titles, and provided modern farm machineries and equipment p to support their livelihood.
Under the leadership of DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, DAR Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) delivered a combination of land titles, multimillion peso debt relief and modern agricultural machinery.
This coordinated effort is part of the agency’s nationwide mandate to ensure that ARBs are not only granted land but are also provided the financial and technical means to make that land flourish.
At the heart of the program was the distribution of land titles, including 78 Certificates of Land Ownership Award, covering 131.0517 hectares, to 73 beneficiaries.
The DAR also handed over 33 electronic land titles, covering 44.88 hectares, 25 farmers, giving them stronger, more secure claims to the land they till.
For many beneficiaries, the biggest relief came from loan condonation, as 443 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage were distributed to 389 ARBs, effectively wiping out PHP18,205,923 in agrarian debts.
“This means farmers can now move forward without the weight of old loans and focus on improving their farms and income,” the DAR said in a news release Tuesday.
DAR Mimaropa Regional Director Marvin Bernal emphasized that sustained support for farmers remains key to countryside development, noting that when farmers are empowered, entire communities benefit.
Beyond land and financial assistance, DAR also provided tools to help farmers become more productive. A four-wheel drive farm tractor was turned over to a cooperative in Naujan, while a combine rice harvester was given to another cooperative in Mansalay, both expected to speed up farm work and increase efficiency.
In addition, 110 farmers received basic farm implements such as knapsack sprayers, shovels, and rain boots, worth more than PHP3.3 million in total. These may seem simple, but for many farmers, they make daily work easier and more efficient.
The event further integrated legal support through the “Lawyers to the Benepisyaryo” initiative, which brought free legal consultations directly to the field. This allowed ARBs to consult directly with DAR lawyers for free on issues related to their land and rights.
“By combining land ownership, total debt condonation, mechanization, and legal protection, DAR continues to move beyond traditional land distribution toward a holistic model of support. These initiatives represent a critical step in building a more food-secure Philippines by ensuring that the nation’s food producers are stable, equipped, and legally protected,” the DAR said. (PNA)
