Some 1,762 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Guimaras started 2026 debt-free after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Monday awarded them Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCROM), canceling more than PHP 87.5 million in unpaid loan amortizations with the Land Bank of the Philippines.
Agrarian reform beneficiary 80-year-old Beatriz Gabales from Barangay Ravina, Sibunag, Guimaras was emotional while delivering a message of gratitude as the parcel of land they tilled together with 15 other ARBs for around 35 years was finally theirs.
“This day is special and memorable. I cry and I am happy because today I received (the land) for free; I don’t have to pay the government,” she said, speaking in her native language.
Her gratitude goes first to God and secondly to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for signing into law Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
With the law, they were able to save around PHP503,052.
The ceremonial distribution of electronic titles and CoCROM was led by Secretary Conrado Estrella III at the coliseum of the Municipality of Pototan.
A total of 1,803 CoCROMs were distributed, covering 2,162 hectares.
In addition, the department released 6,472 electronic titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project (SPLIT), covering an area of 13,500 hectares for 5,837 ARBs.
SPLIT beneficiary Allan Sabillo, in his message, said the document is proof that the government listens, is concerned, and works for the welfare of the minority.
“Sa wakas ang mga taon ng paghihintay, ang mga dekada ng pagbubungkal ng lupang hindi natin pangalan ang nakatala ay natapos ba. Panibagong simula. Dahil ang hawak natin na e-title ay hindi lamang kapirasong papel. Ito ay among sertipiko ng kalayaan mula sa kahirapan at pag-aalinlangan (Finally, the years of waiting, the decades of tilling the land, which is not in our name has ended. A new beginning. Because the e-title we are holding now is not just a piece of paper. This is a certificate of freedom from poverty and doubt),” he said in his message.
Some 2,248 e-titles were distributed to 2,056 ARBs from Capiz; Iloilo has 1,849 for 1,717 ARBs; Antique with 1,108 for 1,107 ARBs; Guimaras has 804 for 496 ARBs; and Aklan with 463 e-titles for 461 recipients.
Estrella said Monday’s distribution was the first for 2026.
In his message, he urged beneficiaries to take good care of their land titles and learn to plant.
He encouraged them to send their children to school and pursue their ambition, and make sure they continue to nurture the land that was given to them. (PNA)
