By Dolly Yasa
CADIZ CITY – A total of 6,125 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros Occidental received Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCROM) in a mass distribution ceremony at the Cadiz City Arena on Thursday, December 19, 2024.
The event marked the beneficiaries’ emancipation from financial burdens tied to land amortizations, thanks to Republic Act No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
This law, signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on July 7, 2023, absolves farmers of unpaid loans and interests associated with agricultural lands distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
“Take Care of What You Receive”
Senate Majority Leader Francisco Tolentino, the event’s guest speaker, urged recipients to safeguard their newly titled lands.
“Take care of what you have just received, show gratitude to the government, and ensure that what you have will benefit your families and the nation,” Tolentino said.
Stories of Gratitude
For 57-year-old Eva Ligligan of Pontevedra, the CLOA represents not only property but a legacy for future generations.
Ligligan inherited 3.5 hectares of rice farmland from her mother, originally part of a 4.8-hectare parcel owned by her grandfather.
“Our family has depended on this farm for over 15 years. With the program, we no longer have to worry about paying the PHP 40,000 loan amortization,” Ligligan shared.
Similarly, 70-year-old Erlinda Dulman of Murcia town expressed relief after her PHP 70,000 loan amortization was condoned.
“This program has erased years of financial worries. I am grateful beyond words,” Dulman said.
Massive Impact in Negros Occidental
For northern Negros, 2,409 CLOAs were distributed, covering 1,482.91 hectares, with PHP 291,676,663.15 in condoned obligations.
Southern Negros saw 7,298 CLOAs awarded, encompassing 4,940.76 hectares, with PHP 525,012,220.89 in debts condoned.
Overall, 9,707 CLOAs were distributed across 6,413.67 hectares, with a total condoned amount of PHP 816,688,884.04.
A ‘Game Changer’ for Farmers
Cadiz City Mayor Salvador Escalante, who hosted the event, described the program as transformative.
“This is a game changer. I have seen firsthand how this program has improved the lives of farmers in upland barangays,” Escalante said, adding that his family had voluntarily offered their landholdings to support CARP.
The event was attended by Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) officials, including Undersecretary Jesry Palmares, Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Castil, and Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, who commended the program’s impact.
The New Agrarian Emancipation Act frees more than 600,000 farmers from PHP 57.56 billion in debt. The law benefits 610,054 ARBs tilling 1,173,101.58 hectares of land.
The Philippine government will shoulder the remaining PHP 206.2 million in compensation for landowners under the Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT) or Direct Payment Scheme (DPS).
The program complements CARP, which was signed into law in 1988 by former President Corazon Aquino, solidifying efforts to provide Filipino farmers with financial and agricultural independence.
