Manila: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) announced on Wednesday that a total of PHP57.76 billion in farmers' debts have been wiped out under the Republic Act (RA) 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act. This move has provided significant relief to thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries, enabling them to redirect resources toward boosting agricultural productivity.
According to Philippines News Agency, DAR Undersecretary Rowena Taduran revealed these developments during a weekly forum held by the Philippine Information Agency in Quezon City. She emphasized that upon assuming office, Secretary Conrado Estrella III promptly informed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the imperative need to completely condone farmers' debt. RA 11953 allows for the condonation of unpaid principal loans, amortizations, interest, and penalties for over 610,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the nation, also exempting them from estate taxes.
DAR Bureau of Agrarian Legal Assistance Chief Eugene Follante explained the significance of the law, stating, "That law is good because the principal, interest, and penalties on their obligation to pay to the Land Bank of the Philippines have been condoned. That means it has been erased. They no longer have any obligation to pay." He further added that this initiative ensures ARBs gain full ownership of the land allocated to them.
Bureau of Land Acquisition and Distribution (BLAD) Assistant Director Manuel Nebreja mentioned that ARBs who did not qualify for debt condonation have been given a moratorium, allowing them to defer payments and invest in enhancing their land's productivity.
In addition to debt relief, DAR is expediting the issuance of individual electronic titles, or e-Titles, to agrarian reform beneficiaries. Follante reported that from January to June, 19,967 land titles covering 19,006 hectares have been distributed to benefit 10,522 agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer Sol Peralta noted that DAR is organizing ARBs into registered organizations and cooperatives to facilitate better access to support in production, processing, and marketing. The department is also providing training and linking farmers with financial institutions for credit and microfinance programs.
Taduran highlighted DAR's infrastructural achievements, reporting the completion of 537 farm-to-market roads (FMR) nationwide from July 2022 to July 2026, with 89 FMR projects currently underway.
Looking ahead to 2026, DAR officials are focusing on forming new partnerships with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), and the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA). The partnerships aim to provide training, align coconut farmers with the PCA's programs, and assist ARB organizations in completing their registration.
DAR is also planning to implement a LandBank credit program for farmers affected by disasters and climate-related events within the year. To expedite the handling of agrarian cases, DAR is adopting digital processes, including e-filing and electronic delivery of orders, resolutions, and notices.
Taduran reported that as of July this year, ARBs nationwide have collectively earned PHP10.6 billion. More than 400 ARBOs are involved in the Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty Program (PAHP), benefiting over 13,400 ARBs in 79 provinces and 17 regions. The PAHP connects ARBOs directly with institutional buyers to eliminate middlemen, increase farmers' income, and support government food security and nutrition initiatives.
