A total of 32 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Zambales received electronic land titles and debt condonation certificates from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), strengthening land tenure security and easing farmers’ financial burden.
The distribution was carried out under Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which condones unpaid land amortization of qualified ARBs.
DAR Zambales Chief Agrarian Reform Program Officer for Land Tenure Services Domingo Marin Jr. said beneficiaries who received Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) are now free from land-related debts, with more than ₱445,900 in obligations erased.
“Kayo po ay malaya na ngayon sa inyong mga pagkakautang sapagkat ito ay burado na mula noong pinirmahan ni Presidente Bongbong Marcos ang batas o RA 11953,” Marin said.
Under the law, ARBs are no longer required to pay land amortization as their debts have been fully condoned.
Marin also encouraged the beneficiaries to join cooperatives or associations to gain better access to support services such as farm inputs, training, and livelihood assistance from DAR.
During the activity, 28 electronic titles covering a total of 43.600 hectares were awarded to 26 beneficiaries from the municipalities of Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Iba, and Botolan.
Meanwhile, six beneficiaries from Masinloc and Cabangan received COCROMs covering a combined area of 8.2999 hectares.
The activity was led by the DAR Zambales Provincial Office as part of its continuing efforts to promote secure land ownership and improve the quality of life of agrarian reform beneficiaries. (PIA Region 3–Zambales)
