Over 11,699 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) will benefit as no less than President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is set to distribute 13,527 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM) in Sarangani on Thursday.

According to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the CoCRoM will condone more than PHP939 million of farmers’ debt in the Soccsksargen region.

“These certificates will benefit 11,699 agrarian reform beneficiaries, with more than 21,000 hectares of agricultural lands, from the provinces of Sarangani, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat,” the DAR said in a news release on Thursday.

The DAR said the CoCRoM distribution is in line with President Marcos’ directive to support Filipino farmers, boost the agricultural sector, and achieve food security.

The distribution is part of the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA) signed by President Marcos in July 2023.

RA 11953 also aims to relieve farmers of agrarian-related debts, including interest, penalties, and surcharges, incurred from lands awarded under Presidential Decree 27, RA 6657, and RA 9700.

The DAR said that of the 13,527 CoCRoM, 2,828 certificates will be distributed to 2,512 ARBs from the province of Sarangani, covering 5,127.45 hectares of land and canceling a PHP215.1 million loan.

In North Cotabato, 3,270 certificates will be distributed to 2,906 ARBs, covering 4,605.34 hectares of land and condoning a PHP159.1 million loan.

President Marcos will also hand over 4,805 certificates to 3,864 ARBs from the province of South Cotabato, covering 7,022.30 hectares of land, and canceling a PHP447.8 million loan.

In Sultan Kudarat, 2,624 certificates will be distributed to 2,427 ARBs, covering 4,343.55 hectares, with PHP117 million loans to be erased.

RA 11953 covers 1.7 million hectares of agrarian reform land nationwide, expected to benefit 610,054 farmers and to cancel PHP57.65 billion in total debt. (PNA)