DAR Conducts Historic Distribution of Certificates of Condonation in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan— The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) conducted the first distribution of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) here, marking another milestone in the full implementation of Republic Act No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

This landmark event, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., represents a significant step toward genuine agrarian reform.

Following the passage of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, or Republic Act (RA) No. 11953, the government has exempted agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from estate tax and included them in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture of the Department of Agriculture (DA), currently chaired by President Marcos.

"Ang mga certificates na ito ay simbolo ng katuparan ng ating pangako na buburahin natin ang pagkakautang ng ating mga agrarian reform beneficiaries," President Marcos stated during the event.

A total of 3,558 ARBs in the Ilocos Region were relieved from paying ₱50,562,449 in mortgages covering 28,086,712 square meters following the signing of the Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage on Friday, July 19. The beneficiaries and their agricultural lands are from the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan.

Ricardo Hufalar, Sr., a 71-year-old agrarian reform beneficiary from Sto. Tomas, La Union, expressed his immense happiness as the law condoned his debt worth ₱295,470. Hufalar, who relies on his crops for his family’s well-being, had struggled with debt, which limited his ability to invest in his future. With the enactment of RA 11953, Hufalar is now free from his financial burden, allowing him to focus on the success of his farm without the constant worry of debt repayment.

The DAR plans to distribute 200,000 Certificates of Condonation by the end of the year, providing substantial agrarian debt relief to beneficiaries nationwide. "Sa batas na ito, masasabi natin na tinapos namin ni Secretary Estrella ang sinimulan ng mga ninuno namin na sina Ferdinand Marcos Sr at Conrado Estrella, Sr."

DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III also emphasized the President's unwavering commitment, stating, "Ang ating