Manila: Twenty-five agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bago City, Negros Occidental, have received significant financial relief after the government condoned their debts totaling PHP3.48 million, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here bared on Thursday. The beneficiaries, whose agricultural lands are situated in Barangay Bacong, were presented with certificates of condonation with the release of mortgage (CoCRoMs) during a ceremony held on April 15.

According to Philippines News Agency, this initiative is seen as a move to provide financial relief and empowerment to the recipients, ultimately aiming to uplift their livelihoods as farmers. Mark Anthony Caraig, municipal agrarian reform program officer and manager of District IV, emphasized the positive impact this will have on the farmers' ability to focus on enhancing their agricultural productivity.

The distribution of the certificates was facilitated by key personnel from DAR-Negros Occidental 2 (South), who also witnessed the awarding ceremony at the Barangay Bacong village hall. This effort was made possible under Republic Act 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which writes off all outstanding loans, including accrued interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by ARBs for lands awarded to them.

The New Agrarian Emancipation Act also exempts the payment of estate tax on lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, further alleviating the financial burden on beneficiaries. In a previous mass distribution held last December, a substantial 6,125 farmer-beneficiaries in Negros Occidental received 9,707 CoCRoMs for a total of PHP816.688 million in condoned debts.

DAR Negros Occidental 1 (North) identified 1,428 ARBs who received 2,409 condonation certificates for debts amounting to PHP291.676 million. Meanwhile, DAR Negros Occidental 2 (South) facilitated the debt relief of 4,697 ARBs, totaling PHP525.012 million.