Twenty-five agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bago City, Negros Occidental, have received significant financial relief after the government condoned their debts totaling P3.48 million, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here bared on Thursday.

The beneficiaries, whose agricultural lands are situated in Barangay Bacong, were presented with certificates of condonation with the release of mortgage (CoCRoMs) during a ceremony held on April 15.

"This initiative is poised to provide substantial financial relief and empowerment to the recipients, ultimately aiming to uplift their livelihoods as farmers," Mark Anthony Caraig, municipal agrarian reform program officer and manager of District IV, said in a statement.

The distribution of the certificates was facilitated by key personnel from DAR-Negros Occidental 2 (South), who also witnessed the awarding ceremony at the Barangay Bacong village hall.

Made possible under Republic Act 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, the landmark legislation writes off all outstanding loans, including accrued interests, penalties, and surcharges, incurred by ARBs for lands awarded to them. This allows the farmers to redirect their resources towards enhancing their agricultural productivity.

The New Agrarian Emancipation Act also includes a provision exempting the payment of estate tax on lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

In a previous mass distribution held last December, a substantial 6,125 farmer-beneficiaries in Negros Occidental received 9,707 CoCRoMs for a total of P816.688 million in condoned debts.

Specifically, DAR Negros Occidental 1 (North) identified 1,428 ARBs who received 2,409 condonation certificates for debts amounting to P291.676 million, while DAR Negros Occidental 2 (South) facilitated the debt relief of 4,697 ARBs, totaling P525.012 million.

DAR PHOTO