Caramoan, Camarines Sur – More than 300 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Caramoan are now debt-free, thanks to the initiative of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to support the ARBs. In a ceremony held at the Caramoan covered court, DAR distributed 542 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM), wiping out ₱18.3 million in land amortization debt covering 1,012 hectares of farmland.

This landmark move falls under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act No. 11953), signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 7, 2023. Spearheaded by DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, the Act aims to free ARBs from the burden of unpaid loans, amortizations, and interest for lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). “

This initiative shows our firm commitment to helping ARBs succeed,” said Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Renato C. Bequillo. “By lifting this financial burden, we’re giving farmers the chance to focus on increasing productivity and improving their quality of life.”

This recent round of debt relief follows a similar effort last December, where 1,260 certificates were issued, eliminating ₱16.57 million in debt across 1,600 hectares of land.

Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Nestor Corona reminded ARBs of their continuing role in nation-building. “Although their land debts have been condoned, farmers must still pay their taxes to the local government.”

The impact of the debt relief was deeply felt by the ARBs. “This is a huge help for underprivileged farmers like us,” said 72-year-old Gemenia L. Delloro of Barangay Daraga. “Now we can focus on our farms instead of worrying about how to pay our loans.”

Maria Jane A. Velasco, who inherited her late mother’s land obligations, also expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, President Marcos and Secretary Estrella, for helping us carry on our family’s legacy without debt.”

According to Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for Operations Adonis H. Dolanas, the CoCRoM will allow the Registry of Deeds to officially remove liens previously held by the Land Bank of the Philippines, enabling ARBs to finally secure clean titles to their land.

Through this program, DAR continues to deliver on its promise of a more sustainable, empowered, and debt-free future for the ARBs. (By: Pinky Roque with contributions from DAR Camarines Sur)

Mahigit 300 ARBs sa Camarines Sur, Wala ng Malaya na sa ₱18.3 Milyong Pagkakautang

Caramoan, Camarines Sur – Mahigit 300 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) sa Caramoan ang wala na ngayong utang dahil sa tulong ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR). Sa isang programa sa Caramoan Covered Court, namahagi ang DAR ng 542 Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM) na nagpawalang-bisa sa ₱18.3 milyon na utang sa lupa para sa 1,012 ektarya ng sakahan.

Ang hakbang na ito ay bahagi ng New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act No. 11953), na pinirmahan ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. noong Hulyo 7, 2023. Pinangunahan ni DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, ang batas na ito ay may layuning tulungan ang ARBs na makalaya sa hindi pa nababayarang utang, hulog, at interes sa lupaing ibinigay sa mga ARB sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“Pinapakita ng programang ito na seryoso kaming tumutulong sa mga ARB,” ani Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer (PARPO) Renato C. Bequillo. “Sa pagtanggal ng utang, maitutuon na nila ang kanilang aktibidad sa pagpapataas ng ani at pagpapabuti ng kanilang buhay.”

Nitong nakaraang Disyembre, may kaparehong programang ginanap, kung saan 1,260 sertipiko ang ipinamahagi at ₱16.57 milyon na utang ang napawalang-bisa para sa 1,600 ektarya ng lupa.

Pinaalalahanan naman ni Municipal Agrarian Reform Program Officer (MARPO) Nestor Corona ang mga ARB na bagaman wala na silang utang sa lupa, kailangan pa rin nilang magbayad ng buwis sa lokal na pamahalaan.

Lubos ang pasasalamat ng mga ARB. “Malaking tulong ito sa aming mga kapus-palad na magsasaka,” ayon sa isang 72-taong-gulang na si Gemenia L. Delloro mula Barangay Daraga. “Makakapokus na kami sa pagsasaka at hindi na mamomoblema sa bayarin.”

Nagpasalamat din si Maria Jane A. Velasco, na namana ang lupa mula sa kanyang yumaong ina. “Salamat kay Pangulong Marcos at Secretary Estrella sa pag-alis ng aming pagkakautang at sa pagpapatuloy ng aming pamana.”

Ayon kay Adonis H. Dolanas, Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for Operations, makakatulong ang CoCRoM para matanggal na ang pagkakahawak ng Land Bank of tge Philippines sa lupa, at makakuha na ng malinis na titulo ang mga ARB.

Sa programang ito, tinutupad ng DAR ang pangakong magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang mga ARB—malaya sa utang at may kapangyarihang paunlarin ang sarili at ang sakahan.