Iloilo: The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) aims to distribute 500,000 hectares of land under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in 2026, with an additional 200,000 hectares slated for distribution by 2027. In an interview following the ceremonial distribution of electronic titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM) in Pototan, Iloilo on Monday afternoon, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III said that they only have over 700,000 hectares left for distribution.

According to Philippines News Agency, Estrella highlighted that in 2024, DAR distributed 100,000 hectares, and in 2025, they covered 302,000 hectares, surpassing the 300,000-hectare target. Estrella expressed the department’s commitment to complete the distribution by 2027, emphasizing the importance of land ownership for farmers. He noted that owning the land would inspire farmers to increase agricultural productivity, aligning with the government’s food sufficiency program.

Estrella also mentioned that established ownership would require beneficiaries to pay real property tax, which would enhance the revenue of local government units. He indicated that higher revenue would enable the provision of more basic services to the community.

Meanwhile, Estrella confirmed that the distribution of CoCROMs would be completed by June this year. The Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s priority program, focusing on condoning unpaid amortizations, including principals, interests, penalties, and surcharges.

On Monday, DAR successfully turned over 6,472 electronic titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project to 5,837 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from Western Visayas, and 1,803 CoCRoM to 1,762 farmer-beneficiaries from Guimaras.