Mimaropa: More than 2,500 agrarian reform beneficiaries from Mimaropa are now legitimate land owners after receiving their electronic land titles (e-title) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

According to Philippines News Agency, aside from the e-titles, 1,877 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCROMs) have been distributed, canceling a total of PHP45 million in land amortization debts. Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III stated that freeing farmers from debt while ensuring clear land ownership empowers them to invest with confidence, improve productivity, and fully reap the rewards of their hard work.

DAR data showed that 1,151 e-titles, covering 2,658 hectares of farmland were distributed in Palawan, while 1,027 CoCROMS, covering 684 hectares and amounting to PHP23.9 million in debts, were condoned. In Oriental Mindoro, 725 e-titles were distributed, covering 1,075 hectares, and 287 CoCROMs covering 241.06 hectares, equivalent to PHP9.99 million debt condoned. In Occidental Mindoro, 154 e-titles covering 250 hectares, and 442 CoCROMs for 331 hectares, equivalent to PHP9.3M debt condoned. In Marinduque, 550 e-titles for 573 hectares, and 61 CoCROMs for 73.02 hectares, covering PHP1.71 million debt condoned, while 95 e-titles covering 167 hectares, and 60 CoCROMs covering 60 hectares of land amounting to PHP1 million debt were condoned in Romblon.

The agency said the initiative provided both secure land ownership and relief from long-standing financial burdens for smallholder farmers. Estrella stated that this aligns with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to fast-track land tenure security and agrarian debt condonation nationwide, especially in rural areas where farmers remain most vulnerable.

In 2025, DAR has undertaken significant national distribution efforts, including the distribution of 13,903 e-titles, covering roughly 20,044 hectares to 10,251 beneficiaries in the Caraga region, and 2,298 individual land titles were awarded to 2,396 beneficiaries in Eastern Visayas, covering 4,863 hectares of land, under its Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project. The DAR, meanwhile, reaffirmed its commitment to building a more productive countryside and empowering debt-free and secure farmers so they contribute to inclusive economic growth and national food security.