Cagayan de oro: Close to 6,000 farmers across Northern Mindanao are set to receive their long-awaited land titles and debt condonation certificates as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) marks another major step toward full land ownership and financial independence for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III announced that 5,788 farmers from Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental will benefit from the distribution, which covers a total of 6,235.23 hectares of land. The initiative is part of DAR’s commitment to strengthening land tenure security and uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers.
Additionally, 1,026 ARBs will be relieved of a combined PHP61.26 million in unpaid land amortizations through the issuance of Certificates of Condonation and Release of Mortgage (CoCRoMs), covering 1,446.07 hectares. This measure aims to provide farmers with a fresh start to cultivate their lands without debt burdens.
During the Stakeholders’ Forum at The Atrium, Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City, DAR will also distribute Emancipation Patents (EPs), Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), and electronic titles (E-titles). Among the 5,788 ARBs, 1,026 farmers will have their cumulative PHP61.26 million in unpaid land amortizations fully condoned, freeing them from longstanding financial obligations.
The distribution also includes regular EPs and CLOAs to 211 ARBs, covering 268.42 hectares, and e-Titles under Project Split for 4,551 ARBs, covering 4,520.74 hectares. The event underscores the Marcos administration’s dedication to rural development and genuine agrarian justice.
Estrella emphasized the government’s support for farmers, stating that these titles and debt condonation measures are proof of the administration’s commitment to building a better future for the countryside. He noted that the event would also serve as a platform for farmers and stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in agrarian reform, as DAR continues to implement programs that strengthen land tenure, boost farm productivity, and improve the quality of life in rural communities.
