Over 30K W. Visayas farmers freed from land debt

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Reamae Velasco, Daily Guardian intern

Nearly 30,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries in Western Visayas are now debt-free after more than 39,000 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage were distributed during a ceremonial event in Passi City on July 27.

The certificates formally canceled over PHP1.13 billion in unpaid land amortization and interest, as mandated by Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

The debt condonation benefited a total of 29,957 farmers across the provinces of Panay Island and Guimaras.

Capiz recorded the highest number of condonation certificates issued, with 18,733 certificates granted to 12,133 beneficiaries.

Iloilo followed with 17,814 certificates benefiting 14,991 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Department of Agrarian Reform Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Jesry Palmares said the debt condonation, along with the distribution of land titles and farming equipment, reflects the agency’s integrated approach to rural development.

“We believe that by easing their financial burdens and providing them with direct ownership and modern tools, we are laying a strong foundation for their sustainable progress and the nation’s food security,” Palmares said.

Alongside the condonation, DAR distributed 275 Certificates of Land Ownership Award covering 283.8015 hectares to 183 agrarian reform beneficiaries in the region.

Under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project, the agency awarded 621 electronic land titles covering 702.3216 hectares to 361 beneficiaries, securing their land tenure.

To boost agricultural productivity, DAR turned over PHP75 million worth of support services to 26 selected agrarian reform beneficiary organizations under the Sustainable and Resilient Agrarian Reform Communities project.

Recipients include organizations in Passi City and Concepcion in Iloilo, and Jordan and Sibunag in Guimaras.

Support packages included 96 units of farm machinery and equipment worth PHP61.48 million, 14,985 packs of organic fertilizer valued at PHP12.73 million, and laboratory items for tissue culture amounting to PHP849,660.

DAR Undersecretary for Support Services Josef Angelo Martires said the land titles and equipment are “not just end goals, but tools to live better lives.”

“These are tools to build your organization and uplift your communities. You have waited for this for a long time. You deserve modern, world-class support, and we want to help you access bigger markets,” he added.

Martires also encouraged farmers to join organized groups to maximize government assistance.