The government, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), on Thursday condoned PHP1.834 billion in loans, debts, and interest owed by 11,179 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros Island Region (NIR).

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III led the distribution of certificates of condonation with release of mortgages (CoCRoMs), land titles, and support services in a ceremony held at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum in Bago City, Negros Occidental.

“Now, under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we are expediting the release of land titles and the condonation of debts for all ARBs. But that’s not enough, you will also receive a great deal of support services,” Estrella said.

The New Agrarian Emancipation Act signed by Marcos in July 2023 condones all loans, including interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by ARBs from lands awarded to them under Presidential Decree 27, Republic Act 6657, and Republic Act 9700.

The national government will assume payment of unpaid compensation to the Land Bank of the Philippines, and the certificate granted to the farmer-beneficiary “shall automatically authorize the immediate and full release and discharge of any mortgage lien or encumbrance arising from agrarian debt.”

Of the total condoned amount, PHP1.104 billion covered the 9,300 CoCRoMs for 3,922.11 hectares of agricultural land tilled by 5,283 ARBs under the DAR Negros Occidental I-North.

Under the DAR Negros Occidental II-South, 5,896 ARBs with 4,938 hectares of agricultural land were freed from PHP729.642 million in debts.

Among those who received their CoCRoMs were Eva Bocalangco, 68, of Barangay Colonia Divina, Sagay City; Wilfredo Consumo, 72, of Barangay Purisima, Manapla; Francia Escasinas, 75, of Barangay Abo-Abo, Murcia; Nelson Agotmo, 65, of Barangay San Miguel, La Carlota City; Ofelia Morales, 60, of Barangay Caman-Camang, Isabela; and Gerardo Tagamolila, 59, of Kabankalan City.

Meanwhile, 1,293 ARBs under the DAR Negros Occidental I-North received 2,374 electronic titles (e-titles) and certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) for 1,217.89 hectares of agricultural land.

Under the DAR Negros Occidental II-South, 1,109 ARBs were awarded 1,947 e-titles and CLOAs for 1,502.79 hectares of land.

A total of 1,382 ARBs from Negros Oriental received 2,602 e-titles for 1,963 hectares of agricultural land.

Support services amounting to PHP5.6 million were turned over to 10 ARB organizations located in the cities of Bago, La Carlota, Himamaylan and Kabankalan as well as the municipalities of Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, Isabela, and Hinoba-an, all in Negros Occidental. (PNA)