Negros occidental: A total of 4,498 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the Negros Island Region (NIR) have recently benefited from a significant debt relief initiative by the national government. The regional Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR-NIR) reported this development on Monday, highlighting the issuance of 7,462 certificates of condonation, effectively releasing mortgage obligations totaling PHP716.655 million.
According to Philippines News Agency, the debt condonation was part of a nationwide activity titled ‘Sabayang Handog sa Bayan para sa Kaarawan ni PBBM!’ held in celebration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s 68th birthday on September 13. The event took place at the Don Bernardo Benedicto Community Center in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, and addressed unpaid amortizations covering 3,464.0082 hectares of agricultural lands.
DAR-NIR Regional Director Lucrecia Taberna emphasized that the condonation of over PHP716 million in agrarian debts underscores the agency’s commitment to providing not just land, but also enduring support and services in collaboration with other government entities. She stated, “DAR-NIR is with you, in the mandate of our Secretary Conrado Estrella III to bring our services closer to the ARBs as well as to all ARB organizations.” She added that this initiative represents the lasting legacy of agrarian reform in the NIR, focusing on free land, stronger livelihoods, and empowered farming communities.
In addition to this event, Conrado Estrella III, the Secretary of Agrarian Reform, previously led the distribution of certificates of condonation to 11,179 ARBs in the NIR, addressing PHP1.834 billion in loans, debts, and interest in Bago City last July.
The initiative is in line with the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which forgives all loans, including interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by ARBs from lands awarded under Presidential Decree 27, Republic Act 6657, and Republic Act 9700. The national government has taken on the responsibility of compensating the Land Bank of the Philippines, and the certificates issued to farmer-beneficiaries allow for the immediate release and discharge of any mortgage liens or encumbrances resulting from agrarian debt.