BACOLOD City – The national government through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has condoned a total P816,688,884.04 in agrarian debt, providing relief to 6,125 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Negros Occidental.
DAR Negros Island Region (NIR) distributed land titles and certificates of condonation with release of mortgages (CoCRoM), which erased debts for the ARBs, at Cadiz City Arena yesterday, December 19.
Data from the DAR-NIR showed that a total of 9,707 CoCRoM covering 6,413.6741 hectares were distributed to 6,125 ARBs.
Also, 2,902 land titles, or Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA), were distributed.
Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Jesry Palmares led the distribution along with Cadiz City’s Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.
Also present were Sen. Francis Tolentino, Vice Gov. Jeffrey Ferrer and other DAR officials.
The CoCRoM is granted to the beneficiaries in relation to the implementation of RA 11953, or an act emancipating ARBs from financial burden by condoning all principal loans, unpaid amortizations and interests and exempting payment of estate tax on agricultural lands awarded under the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP).
With the passage of Republic Act (RA) No. 12000, which formally established the NIR, the DAR introduced the 1Negros Thrust as a strategic and unified framework.
This initiative addresses regional challenges while fostering stronger collaboration between DAR Negros Occidental 1 and 2.
Anchored on the battle cry, “Serbisyo Agraryo Una,” the 1Negros Thrust embodies a collective commitment to enhancing agrarian reform program implementation, maximizing resources, and delivering transformative initiatives. Its ultimate goal is to empower ARBs, advance rural development, and promote inclusive growth across the entire NIR./PN
