Over Php 124 Million Condoned for 3,500 ARBs in Tarlac
Paniqui, Tarlac – President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. led the distribution of 4,663 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM), relieving 3,500 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) of over Php 124 Million of unpaid debts for agricultural lands received from the agrarian reform program.
Despite the bad weather brought about by Typhoon Julian, President Marcos Jr. persisted in personally spearheading the distribution of COCROMs in the Province of Tarlac, covering 4,132.1256 hectares of agricultural land, marking the administration’s efforts to alleviate the financial burden faced by ARBs.
“Hindi na po bale dahil isa sa pinakamalaki at makabuluhang karangalan bilang isang Pangulo ay ang buuhin ang naging pangarap ng milyon-milyong Pilipino na magkaroon ng sariling lupa at mabura ang inyong mga utang. Kaya po kahit na may ulan, kahit na may bagyo, kami kahit na may sakit, dadating at dadating po kami,” President Marcos Jr. said.
Accompanying the President, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III stressed the President’s drive and determination to reach and serve the people, especially the Filipino farmers.
“Dapat ang Presidente kung may sakit, doon na lang sa bahay, nagpapahinga. Ngunit kahit na bahing nang masama ang pakiramdam, tumuloy pa rin ho kami sa Palawan at sa Iloilo,” Estrella shared, citing the recent land titles distribution of DAR on September 19, 2024.
One of the beneficiaries, 64-year-old Mario M. Velasco from Bantog Caricutan, Tarlac, received his Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage personally from President Marcos Jr., now condoning his total debt amounting to Php 241,968.86.
“Lubos po akong nagpapasalamat sa pamunuan ng DAR, kay Kalihim Conrado M. Estrella III at higit sa lahat kay Pangulong Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. para sa programang ito na nag-aalis ng aming mga utang sa lupang aming sinasaka,” Velasco remarked.
Republic Act No. 11953, otherwise known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA) signed into law by President Marcos Jr. on July 7, 2023, mandates the condonation of all unpaid principal amortizations, interest, and surcharges incurred by ARBs for agricultural lands
