DAR-NIR distributes 7,798 land titles, condones PHP 1.79B debt

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — In a landmark move to empower agrarian reform beneficiaries, the Department of Agrarian Reform–Negros Island Region (DAR-NIR) distributed more than 7,000 land titles, condoned PHP 1.79 billion in unpaid land amortizations, and turned over PHP 73.6 million in support services and disaster relief during a ceremony on December 4, 2025.

The event, held at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center in Bago City, was led by DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III and attended by over 5,000 stakeholders, including 4,500 farmer-beneficiaries from Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.

Despite being postponed twice due to Typhoons Tino and Uwan, the program pushed through to mark what DAR officials called a historic milestone for agrarian communities in the region.

DAR-NIR awarded a total of 7,798 land titles, covering 5,524.42 hectares and benefiting 4,788 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

These included 2,242 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and 5,556 e-Titles issued under Project SPLIT, the government’s digital land titling initiative.

Negros Occidental II received the largest combined land area at 1,849.8793 hectares, while Negros Oriental accounted for the highest number of ARBs under the SPLIT component, totaling 1,391 recipients.

Under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, DAR-NIR also distributed 15,000 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCROMs) to 13,822 ARBs in Negros Oriental.

This resulted in the condonation of PHP 1.79 billion in unpaid amortizations and interest, freeing farmer-beneficiaries from long-standing land debt burdens.

DAR-NIR likewise turned over PHP 73.6 million worth of farm machinery, inputs, and relief assistance as part of its holistic support program.

A total of 28 farm machinery units were distributed to 28 ARB organizations, benefiting 1,990 farmers. The equipment included 40 HP farm tractors, 10 HP mini tractors, 115 HP cargo trucks, and multi-role power stations.

Negros Occidental II received the largest allocation—16 cargo trucks worth PHP 35.2 million—benefiting 1,263 ARBs.

The agency also distributed 13,500 packs of organic fertilizer worth PHP 11.475 million to 43 ARB organizations in Negros Occidental, reaching 2,227 beneficiaries.

Additionally, DAR-NIR extended PHP 6 million worth of disaster relief aid to 5,913 individuals—including 238 DAR employees and 5,675 ARBs—affected by Typhoons Tino and Uwan.

The relief packages included detergent, blankets, pails, slippers, flashlights, towels, coffee, and sugar, demonstrating DAR’s response to both agricultural and humanitarian needs.

DAR-NIR Regional Director Lucrecia S. Taberna stressed that agrarian reform extends beyond land ownership.

“Agrarian reform is not just about distributing land. Its real impact lies in improving the lives of our farmers and strengthening our communities,” she said.

Negros Occidental 3rd District Board Member Andrew L. Montelibano, Bago City Mayor Marina C. Javellana-Yao, and DAR Undersecretary Jesry T. Palmares also delivered messages of support during the ceremony.

The event coincided with the first anniversary of DAR-NIR’s establishment as a regional office, which started as a five-person team and has since grown into a fully operational unit advancing agrarian reform across the island region.

DAR officials said the combined accomplishments represent the agency’s long-term commitment to uplift ARBs and boost agricultural productivity in Negros Island.