PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija — Around 100 Novo Ecijano farmers received much-needed relief as the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) canceled their land amortization debts totaling P21 million.

According to DAR, these agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) were granted Certificates of Condonation and land titles, effectively erasing their debts and awarding them ownership of the lands they have long cultivated.

The distribution of Certificates of Condonation to a total of 558 ARBs falls under Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act, which frees qualified beneficiaries from unpaid land amortization.

DAR Assistant Secretary for Support Services James Arsenio Ponce emphasized that the cancellation of land debts will help ARBs focus on improving their farms and sustaining their livelihoods.

“Your land amortization debts have officially been canceled, 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 Project.

DAR Central Luzon officer-in-charge Regional Director Eric Francis Luna praised the government’s commitment to agrarian reform.

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

One of the recipients, Angel Gulatchino, expressed deep gratitude for the long-awaited 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 forms part of DAR’s continued efforts to ensure land tenure security and empower farmers toward productivity and self-sufficiency.