DAR clears P30M in land debts in Central Visayas
CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Agrarian Reform-7 has condoned more than ?30 million in unpaid land amortizations for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Cebu and Bohol.
This has freed hundreds of farmers from decades-old debts and granted them full ownership of their lands in the two provinces.
During the distribution ceremony held June 8 at the Enan Chiong Activity Center in Naga City, DAR officials awarded a total of 1,784 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM).
Of these, 1,050 beneficiaries from Cebu were cleared of ?14,120,848.36 in unpaid amortizations. In Bohol, 708 ARBs in Catigbian received 1,032 CoCRoMs, condoning ?16,322,509.91 in land debts.
This brings total agrarian relief to ?30,443,358.27, benefiting 1,758 farmers. The CoCRoM serves as the official document that legally erases land-related debts and mortgages under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, in line with Republic Act No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act enacted in July 2023.
Apart from debt condonation, 463 beneficiaries from municipalities including Sogod, Carmen, Daanbantayan, Medellin, Tuburan, Argao, and Tabogon also received Electronic Titles (E-Titles) covering 360.2972 hectares.
The issuance is part of the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT), which subdivides collective land titles into individual electronic titles.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, present during the turnover, said the distribution affirms government support for rural development.
“Dili lang ni pagpanghatag og papel today. It is recognizing the hard work and sacrifices of our farmers and ensuring they receive the support they truly deserve,” Baricuatro said.
To strengthen Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs), the Dakit-Tubod Farmers Association (DATUFA) of Barili received a tractor worth ?1,025,000 under the Agrarian Reform Fund, while the Anapog Mountain and Spring Farm Association (AMSFA) in Pinamungajan received a ?1,450,000 delivery truck.
Farm machinery and tools were also turned over to the Alpaco Agrarian Reform Farmer Beneficiaries Cooperative (AARFBC) under the Sustainable Livelihood Program.
The event was hosted by the DAR Provincial Office Cebu led by Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Christian Louis G. Luna, together with DAR Regional Director Melvin Castor V. Silvestre. DAR Undersecretary Lani C. De Leon, Naga Mayor Valdemar M. Chiong, and Vice Mayor Virgilio M. Chiong also attended.
In his speech, Silvestre highlighted the vital role of farmers in society and pledged proactive service delivery.
“Ang mga magsasaka, araw-araw kailangan natin, kasi hindi tayo kakain kung wala kayo. Ipamana natin sa mga anak natin yung lupa na walang utang at lupa na masasakahan,” he said.
“Ako po ay pupunta sa inyo, dadalawin namin kayo at ipaparamdam namin sa inyo ang serbisyong deserve ninyo,” he added. — Jhiezel Jane D. Camarillo and Jona Mariel Apurado, CNU Interns/LPM (FREEMAN)
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