Talavera: More than 900 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Nueva Ecija received renewed hope and freedom from debt as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) granted PHP24.6 million in debt relief through the issuance of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCROM) during a ceremonial distribution held at the Talavera National High School Gym in Barangay Pag-Asa, Talavera on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, leading the activity was DAR Undersecretary for Field Operations Kazel Celeste, who emphasized that the government's condonation program is a key step in freeing farmers from decades of debt and helping them achieve genuine land ownership. A total of 1,056 CoCROMs covering 1,420.7059 hectares were awarded to 903 ARBs, writing off PHP24,654,724.42 in unpaid amortizations and accumulated interest under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
As of Sept. 30, DAR-Nueva Ecija has recorded PHP297.17 million in condoned loans benefitting 6,567 ARBs, involving 10,540 CoCROMs covering 11,312.7550 hectares. The province's overall target covers 10,640 ARBs, involving 13,420 CoCROMs, and PHP511.65 million in condoned obligations across 14,512.8261 hectares.
One of the recipients, Abella Rivera from Talavera, expressed relief after her PHP121,293.54 debt was fully condoned, stating that the condonation is a huge relief and allows them to focus on farming without debt concerns.
The DAR also distributed land titles under two major programs. Under the Regular Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) Program, 65 land titles covering 49.014 hectares were distributed to 59 ARBs. Meanwhile, under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project, 170 e-titles covering 268.5760 hectares were turned over to 109 ARBs.
The SPLIT Project aims to subdivide collective Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) and issue individual land titles to qualified ARBs, ensuring secure tenure and encouraging responsible land management. Arturo Biag, a 66-year-old rice farmer from Cuyapo, expressed gratitude after receiving his individual land title, acknowledging the support from DAR and Project SPLIT.
Capping the activity was the awarding of PHP4.2 million financial assistance under the Agri-Enterprise Loan Easy Access for Rural Transformation (ALERT) Program to two Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries' Organizations (ARBOs) -- the Sta. Lucia Old Multipurpose Cooperative of Zaragoza receiving PHP2.72 million, and the Kaagapay Agrarian Reform Cooperative of Talavera receiving PHP1.5 million. The ALERT Program is a collaborative initiative providing credit to eligible ARBOs to support agricultural enterprise and promote sustainable rural livelihoods.
The event marks another significant milestone in DAR's continuing mission to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers through genuine land reform, strengthened cooperatives, and sustained government support.
