Distribution of CLOA Titles and CoCRoM in Isabela

CABAGAN, Isabela - On November 22, 2024, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led a significant event in Cabagan, Isabela, distributing Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCROM) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). This initiative, under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act No. 11953), effectively absolves farmers of their outstanding land amortization debts.

The CoCROM is an official document issued to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under Republic Act No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

Purpose of CoCROM: (1) It confirms the condonation (forgiveness) of all unpaid land amortizations, including principal, interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by ARBs; (2) It officially releases the mortgage on the land awarded to ARBs, giving them full ownership without financial obligations; (3) It allows farmers to focus on agricultural productivity without the burden of land-related debt. This certificate is being distributed across the Philippines, particularly in agrarian reform communities, as part of the government’s effort to support farmers and enhance the agricultural sector.

Reasons Behind RA 11953 (New Agrarian Emancipation Act). The New Agrarian Emancipation Act was signed into law on July 7, 2023, by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to provide financial relief and support to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). Here are the key reasons behind its enactment: (1) Debt Relief for Farmers - Many ARBs struggled to pay off land amortizations for lands awarded under agrarian reform programs. The law condones all unpaid amortizations, including principal, interest, penalties, and surcharges from land awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and other agrarian reform programs. This affects about 610,054 ARBs covering 1.173 million hectares, with a total of ₱57.56 billion in condoned debt; (2)  Empowering Farmers for Agricultural Productivity - By removing the financial burden, farmers can now focus on improving their farms without worrying about unpaid amortizations. It encourages ARBs to invest in better farming technologies, increase crop production, and contribute more effectively to food security; (3)  Economic Growth & Rural Development - The law supports sustainable agriculture by ensuring that farmers have secure land ownership without financial constraints. This move is expected to boost rural economies by increasing productivity and financial stability among farmers; (4) Continuation of Agrarian Reform Efforts - The law aligns with the government’s ongoing commitment to agrarian reform and social justice. It addresses longstanding issues related to land ownership, tenure security, and the economic challenges faced by ARBs. By enacting RA 11953, the government aims to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers, ensuring land ownership truly leads to agricultural success and rural prosperity.

The ceremony, held at the Josefina T. Albano Cultural Sports Complex, saw the distribution of over 25,000 CoCROMs, benefiting approximately 21,000 ARBs in Isabela. These certificates cover nearly 22,000 hectares of agricultural land, amounting to over ₱1 billion in condoned debts. President Marcos emphasized that with these certificates, farmers are relieved from the burden of land amortization payments, allowing them to focus solely on cultivating and enhancing their lands.

In addition to the CoCROMs, more than 450 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) were distributed to over 340 farmers, encompassing around 500 hectares of land in the province. This effort underscores the government's commitment to accelerating agrarian reform and providing tangible support to the agricultural sector.

President Marcos also urged farmers and fisherfolk to enroll in the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation's programs. This initiative aims to safeguard their livelihoods against potential losses due to natural calamities, ensuring resilience and sustained productivity in the face of environmental challenges.

The event in Cabagan is part of a broader national effort to implement the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which was signed into law in July 2023. The act aims to condone all loans, including interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by ARBs from land awarded under various agrarian reform programs. Nationwide, approximately 600,000 farmers are expected to benefit from this legislation, covering more than 1.7 million hectares of agrarian reform lands.

This landmark event signifies a substantial stride toward empowering Filipino farmers, alleviating their financial burdens, and promoting sustainable agricultural development across the nation.

 

DAR leads ground-breaking for CARP-funded FMR in Santa Praxedes, Cagayan

SANTA PRAXEDS - The Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Office of Cagayan (DARPO-Cagayan) held a groundbreaking ceremony on February 18, 2025 for a new farm-to-market road (FMR) in Barangay San Juan, Santa Praxedes, Cagayan. This initiative aims to enhance the transportation of agricultural products, thereby boosting the local economy and improving the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

The project involves the construction of an almost one-kilometer concrete road that will eventually connect the farming communities of San Juan to the main highway. The FMR, which was funded with an allocation of ₱15 million from the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF), is expected to be completed by June 2025. Once operational, it will significantly reduce farmers' travel time and transportation costs, facilitate easier access to larger markets, and minimize post-harvest losses.

DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Val M. Cristobal emphasized that the FMR aims to empower ARBs towards increased productivity and income which will eventually spur economic growth in the community.

Local farmers have expressed optimism about the project's potential impact. With this new road, harvests can be transported more efficiently, ensuring that fresher produce reaches the market. This development will undoubtedly improve the income and quality of life of ARBs in the community.

The collaboration between DAR and the local government of Santa Praxedes highlights a shared commitment to rural development. Investing in infrastructure projects like this FMR is crucial for the sustainable development of the community. It not only benefits the farmers but also stimulates local commerce and attracts potential investors.

This initiative aligns with DAR's broader mission to support agrarian reform communities (ARCs) by providing essential infrastructure that fosters economic resilience and food security. Similar projects have been implemented nationwide, such as the recent completion of farm-to-market roads in Abulug, Cagayan, which have significantly enhanced local trade and agricultural productivity. As the construction of the San Juan FMR progresses, the community eagerly anticipates the positive changes it will bring.

Farm-to-market roads (FMRs) are a regular program of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as part of their rural development initiatives. These roads are crucial for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) as they improve access to markets, reduce transportation costs, and enhance agricultural productivity.

DAR implements FMR projects in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Local Government Unit/s (LGU) to ensure better road connectivity in agrarian reform communities (ARCs). These projects are often funded through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) or foreign-assisted programs. FMRs are part of DAR’s commitment to sustainable rural development by providing better infrastructure that supports farmers in remote and underserved areas.

Meeting about FMRs by PARPO II Val M. Cristobal with Mayor Esterlina A. Aguinaldo and MARPO Santiago Mabborang