BICOL: The Department of Agrarian Reform in Bicol (DAR-5) has effectively distributed nearly 21,000 land titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the region in 2024. This effort aims to support farmers by providing them with the necessary documents to enhance their farming operations and improve their livelihoods.

According to Philippines News Agency, DAR-5 Director Reuben Theodore Sindac revealed that the department issued 20,986 titles and COCROMs to 17,961 ARBs, covering a total of 28,658.96 hectares of land. Sindac emphasized the significance of 2024 in achieving the department’s goals of empowering farmers with the required titles and support services, which are vital for the continued growth of their farmlands and contributions to the public.

The government has allocated over PHP480 million to address principal loans, unpaid amortizations, and interest under the COCROM program. Through this initiative, DAR-5 distributed 17,010 certificates to 14,295 ARBs, encompassing 22,639 hectares, and issued 1,478 land titles to 1,404 ARBs, covering 1,969.93 hectares.

Additionally, the department distributed 2,498 electronic land titles (e-titles) under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project. This benefited 2,262 ARBs and covered 4,049.05 hectares. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the land title distribution event in Bicol on June 7, 2024, underscoring the administration’s commitment to agrarian reform.

The distribution events were further validated by President Marcos’s signing of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (R.A. 11653) on July 7, 2023. The first distribution, led by Senator Imee Marcos, occurred on November 26, targeting the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon. A second distribution followed on December 20, led by DAR Undersecretary Rowena Ni±a Taduran, focusing on the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte.

Director Sindac expressed the department’s continued dedication to fulfilling the President’s vision of ensuring all beneficiary farmers receive their land titles before the end of his term.