Passi city: Amid inclement weather, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) proceeded with the condonation of approximately PHP1.135 billion in loans, debts, and interest owed by almost 30,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Western Visayas.
According to Philippines News Agency, DAR Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Jesry Palmares led the distribution of certificates of condonation with release of mortgages (CoCRoMs), land titles, and support services in a ceremony held at the Passi City arena in Iloilo. During the ceremony, 39,443 CoCRoMs were awarded to 29,948 ARBs, relieving them of around PHP1.135 billion in unpaid land amortization.
Additionally, 183 ARBs received their Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), covering 283.80 hectares, while 361 ARBs were awarded their electronic land titles (e-titles), covering 702.32 hectares, under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project. DAR also turned over PHP75 million worth of support services to 26 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Organizations (ARBOs), including 96 units of farm machinery and equipment (FMEs) such as harvesters, tractors, and irrigation pumps, along with sacks of organic fertilizers.
In his keynote address, Palmares acknowledged the importance of the event to the ARBs who braved the rain to travel to Passi. "What they are doing is for the benefit of their children and the next generation," he said. Undersecretary for Support Services Josef Angelo Martires highlighted that the land, titles, and equipment are tools to improve their lives and communities.
Martires announced plans to provide advanced equipment like agricultural drones and solar-powered irrigation in the future. "You deserve modern, world-class support. We also want to help you access bigger markets," he added. The recipients expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the DAR family for the initiative, which enabled farmers to own land.
Narcisa Pascual, an 88-year-old ARB from Barangay Tagobong, Passi City, received a CoCRoM for her property, ending a 30-year wait. Efren Castro from Barangay Oquendo, Balete, Aklan, received a title for his nearly three-hectare property and expressed gratitude while wishing for better market access. Alma Gabo, a corn farmer from Buenavista, Guimaras, shared her pride in sending her children to school despite challenges, crediting President Marcos for their improved circumstances.
Jopher Guavino Jr., representing ARBOs from Sibunag, Guimaras, expressed feeling the current administration's concern for their sector after receiving FMEs and organic fertilizers worth PHP5.76 million. The ceremony was attended by Assistant Secretary Jenil Demorito, Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, Mayor Stephen Palmares, DAR Regional Director Leomides Villareal, and Assistant Regional Director Florentino Siladan.
