PBBM, DAR, Ends Farmers’ Debt With New Agrarian Reform

Following the historic first distribution of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to 3,558 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Ilocos Region, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. highlighted in his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) his administration’s aim to free about 600,000 farmers nationwide from more than Php57-Billion in agrarian debt.

“Sa nakalipas na dalawang taon, mahigit isang-daan at tatlumpung libong titulo na ang ating naigawad sa mga benepisyaryo. Tuloy-tuloy din at pinabibilis pa natin ang pagkakahati-hati ng collective Certificates of Land Ownership Award o ‘yung CLOA para sa mga indibidwal na benepisyaryo nito,” President Marcos Jr. stated in his address.

During the 2024 Post-SONA Discussions with key Cabinet members for Food Security and Economic Development on July 23, 2024, in Pasay City, Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III expounded further on Republic Act No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, saying that President Marcos Jr. understands the farmers’ plight thus his commitment to alleviating their financial burdens from awarded lands.

“Ang sabi ng ating Pangulo, mabuti pa huwag na lang natin pagbayarin ang mga magsasaka. Ang sabi naman namin noon, opo sir dahil ang inyong ama ay namigay ng lupa ngunit may kasamang utang. Kayo po, ibibigay niyo ang lupa na walang kasamang utang – sa palagay ko po iyan ang genuine agrarian reform,” Estrella said.

Estrella also associated the DAR’s intensified efforts in land title distribution and provision of support services to farmers in contributing to food security and the increasing agricultural production of the country.

“Ang lupa na naibibigay sa inyo ay libre na. Wala nang kasamang utang ito. At itong libreng lupa at isang tambak na support services na ibibigay sa inyo ay babangon tayong muli. May pag-asa pa tayo. Uunlad pa ang mga magsasaka,” Estrella emphasized in his closing statement.

In its second year, the Post-SONA Discussions continues to effectively translate policies from the President’s most recent SONA into practical strategies by bringing government officials and policymakers together to review