The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will condone over P1.135 billion in unpaid loans under foreign-assisted financing programs, benefiting 29,948 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Panay and Guimaras. The loan condonation, through 39,443 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs), will be awarded during a ceremonial event on Thursday, 17 July.
According to DAR undersecretary Jesry Palmares, this is part of a broader package to ease financial burdens and boost productivity. Alongside the debt relief, DAR will distribute 896 land titles covering 986.12 hectares to over 540 ARBs under a regular land distribution and the parcelization program.
Further support includes P75 million worth of farm machinery, equipment, and organic fertilizers for 26 ARB organizations across Iloilo and Guimaras, enhancing agricultural operations and post-harvest capabilities.
This move aligns with DAR’s national goal of issuing 400,000 land titles to ARBs this year, as previously announced by Secretary Conrado Estrella III, though no updated figures were provided on total titles distributed to date.
DAR emphasized the policy’s long-term impact on agrarian reform by combining loan forgiveness, land ownership, and modern farming support to strengthen rural livelihoods and food security.
