P200-M agrarian debts of 2,400 CL farmers scrapped
GUIMBA, Nueva Ecija — The Department of Agrarian Reform has scrapped nearly P200 million in agrarian debts of more than 2,400 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Central Luzon.
“Sa ilalim ng New Agrarian Emancipation Act (RA 11953) na pinirmahan ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos noong ika-7 ng Hulyo 2023, lahat ng pagkakautang ng mga magsasaka na sakop ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program at iba pang batas sa repormang agraryo ay kanselado na kabilang ang interes at surcharges,” declared Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III as he led the simultaneous distribution of 3,545 certificates of condonation to the ARBs on May 12.
Estrella is greatly credited for the passage into law of RA 11953, which he personally initiated in his first few days in office. The initiative is part of his commitment to fast track the implementation of agrarian reform programs and complete the distribution process within his term.
The simultaneous distribution by DAR Central Luzon of certificates of condonation, regular and electronic land titles, bridge projects, credit assistance worth over P16-million and ceremonial awarding of scholarship grants under the DAR Scholarship Program for Dependents of ARBs (DSP-DARB) at Chevalier’s Gym, Our Lady of Sacred Heart College, is doubly significant as the country celebrates Farmers and Fisherfolks Month this May.
Nueva Ecija recorded the highest number of beneficiaries with 2,777 certificates of condonation, followed by Aurora with 205, Zambales with 180, Bataan with 177, Tarlac with 99, Bulacan with 87, and Pampanga with 20.
DAR-Central Luzon director Eric Francis Luna reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to uplift the lives of ARBs in the region.
“We will be relentless in distributing certificates of condonation as mandated by law and in ensuring a better life for our ARBs in Central Luzon as envisioned by Secretary Estrella,” Luna said. Punto News Team/DAR-3