Marcos condones P275 million in farmers’ debts

MANILA, Philippines —  President Marcos yesterday distributed up to 1,119 certificates of condonation and release of mortgage covering 1,728 hectares of land to 1,000 farmer-beneficiaries in Bulacan.

Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III said P274.97 million owed by agrarian reform beneficiaries from the municipalities of Angat, Balagtas, Baliwag, Bocaue, Bustos, Norzagaray, Pandi, San Ildefonso, San Jose del Monte, San Miguel, San Rafael and Sta. Maria were condoned, in line with the implementation of Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

The law aims to erase all unpaid principal amortizations, interests and surcharges on agricultural lands awarded under the government’s agrarian reform program.

Estrella said the DAR intends to distribute 300,000 similar certificates before the end of the year.

Marcos also led the distribution of 343 certificates of land ownership award covering 232 hectares to 287 farmer-beneficiaries in Nasugbu, Batangas.

As of this month, the DAR has distributed 136,116 land titles to farmer-beneficiaries nationwide, covering a total of 164,088 hectares.