In a significant move to support agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), over 5,000 farmers in Negros Oriental have benefited from a loan condonation program in 2024. The initiative, led by Senator Imee Marcos and Governor Manuel Sagarbarria, saw the distribution of e-titles and certificates of loan condonation, relieving farmers of more than PHP692 million in debts. This effort is part of the broader New Agrarian Emancipation Act, aimed at alleviating the financial burdens of ARBs under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s administration.
Manuel Galon, the provincial agrarian reform officer, reported that 6,612 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM) were issued to 5,321 ARBs, covering 7,605.83 hectares of farmland. The program is set to expand, with plans to include 40,000 hectares next year. Galon noted that the distribution of CoCRoM is based on land titles, which may cover multiple beneficiaries.
The loan condonation has encouraged many farmers, previously overwhelmed by debt, to return to their lands. The initiative not only aims to boost productivity but also to enhance the appreciation of government-granted land among farmers. However, eligibility for CoCRoM requires ARBs to meet specific criteria.
In addition to the loan condonation, DAR-Negros Oriental has made strides in other areas. The Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project, funded by the World Bank, has distributed 4,869 e-titles to 2,961 ARBs. The project aims to subdivide collective land titles into individual ones, targeting an additional 33,710 hectares by 2027.
Further achievements include the distribution of 153 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to 331 ARBs, covering 64.87 hectares. Notably, 93 former rebels received individual CLOAs for 23.42 hectares under Executive Order No. 75. These former rebels will also benefit from a new socialized housing project in Basay town, which includes individual housing units and a communal farm, developed through a partnership between the provincial government, local authorities, and the private sector.
By December, DAR-Negros Oriental had registered over 6,730 e-titles with the Registry of Deeds, with 7,406 already released, marking a significant step forward in agrarian reform efforts in the region.