THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has eased the financial burden on Cordillera farmers by distributing 1,944 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM), effectively erasing ₱80.17 million in decades-old debts owed by 1,421 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
In a ceremony celebrated across six provinces—Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province—the DAR also distributed 579 land titles covering 371.9 hectares of agricultural land to 515 ARBs, granting them both legal ownership and a fresh start.
These efforts were complemented by the turnover of ₱90 million worth of support services aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.
These include seven newly completed farm-to-market roads and 193 units of farm machinery and equipment (FMEs), providing farmers with improved access to markets and better farming capabilities.
Marcelo Guisoben, an ARB from Kalinga, expressed gratitude for the transformative support. “We deeply thank this administration for the blessings we received. Our lands are now free from debts, and the land titles are finally in our hands,” he said.
Assistant Secretary Rodolfo Castil Jr., who attended the event, encouraged farmers to maximize the potential of their newly secured lands. “The dreams of farmers are the dreams of this nation,” Castil said, emphasizing the importance of sustainable farming practices for both families and communities.
The DAR’s initiatives promise to unlock further economic opportunities for Cordillera farmers, providing not just land ownership but also the tools and infrastructure needed for long-term agricultural success.