100 Novo Ecijano farmers cleared of P21M debt

PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Around 100 Novo Ecijano farmers received much-needed relief as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) cancelled their combined P21 million debt through land amortization condonation.

According to DAR, the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) were granted Certificates of Condonation and land titles, effectively clearing their land debts and awarding them full ownership.

The distribution of Certificates of Condonation to a total of 558 ARBs falls under Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act, which frees qualified farmers from unpaid land amortization.

DAR Assistant Secretary for Support Services James Arsenio Ponce said the cancellation will allow ARBs to focus on boosting productivity and long-term livelihood.

"Your land amortization debts have officially been cancelled, and the amount you were supposed to pay can now be used for your production needs," Ponce said.

In addition, 102 ARBs from nine municipalities received Certificates of Land Title Ownership Award covering 89.25 hectares of agricultural land under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project.

DAR Central Luzon Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Eric Francis Luna commended the government’s commitment to agrarian reform.

"Ating ipagbunyi ang araw na ito at taos pusong pasasalamat kay President Bongbong Marcos Jr. at Secretary Conrado Estrella III sa pagtanggap ng ating Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage and Certificates of Land Title Ownership Award," Luna said.

(Let us celebrate this day and extend our heartfelt thanks to President Bongbong Marcos Jr. and Secretary Conrado Estrella III for the issuance of our Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage and Certificates of Land Title Ownership Award)

Meanwhile, Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer II Eden Ponio reminded beneficiaries not to sell their awarded lands, cautioning that premature sale or neglect could result in disqualification and revocation of the title.

One of the recipients, Angel Gulatchino, expressed his gratitude for finally receiving a land title.

“We waited almost 30 years for this land title, and it will finally help us build a sustainable livelihood,” Gulatchino said.

The distribution is part of DAR’s continuing efforts to ensure land tenure security and empower farmers toward productivity and self-sufficiency.