Naga City: The government, through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), has condoned over PHP111 million in loans, debts, and interest owed by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the six provinces in the Bicol Region. The ceremonial distribution of 6,665 land titles and certificates of condonation took place on Monday, attended by more than 5,006 ARBs at the Ka Fuerte CamSur Sports Complex.
According to Philippines News Agency, the land titles and certificates awarded to ARBs cover approximately 9,141.2771 hectares of agricultural land. DAR Undersecretary Rowena Ni±a Taduran, who led the distribution, emphasized the agency's commitment to supporting ARBs from land distribution and cultivation to sustainable development. Taduran highlighted the DAR's continued provision of support services, including access to farming goods, renewable energy, capacity building programs, marketing assistance, and post-harvest facilities, aimed at ensuring ARBs' long-term livelihood.
The event was marked as a celebration of justice, empowerment, and a new beginning for farmers. Taduran described the distributed land as the fruit of a long struggle for farmers' rights, encouraging ARBs to care for the land to secure food and dignity for their families.
Nestor Doma, a 61-year-old beneficiary from Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, expressed gratitude to the government for the land title to his 2.8 hectares of land and thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos for forgiving outstanding payments. Adelina Buban, 75, from Pio Duran, Albay, also expressed her gratitude after having PHP109,786 of her loans, mortgage, and interest forgiven for her 2.5 hectares of land.
Rebecca Purisma, an ARB from Tigaon, acknowledged DAR's efforts in connecting ARBs with other agencies to secure direct buyers for their agricultural products. She thanked DAR for establishing partnerships with agencies and private companies like the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Jail and Management Penology (BJMP), and various malls, providing ARBs with venues to sell their products. Purisma urged fellow ARBs to refrain from selling the land granted to them by the government.
