The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) successfully distributed a total of 211,751 land titles to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) across the country for Calendar Year 2024. This milestone includes 134,736 electronic titles (e-Titles) and 77,015 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) under the regular Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) components of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
This achievement was reported by DAR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, and Research Atty. Luis Meinrado C. Pañgulayan during the debut episode of the agency’s new radio program, “DAR sa SOS,” aired on DZRH on February 1, 2025.
Pañgulayan highlighted that a total of 203,839 ARBs benefitted from the land title distribution, with 126,810 ARBs receiving titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) Project and 77,029 ARBs under the regular LAD program.
“The DAR remains committed to fostering long-term agricultural productivity and economic stability for our farmer-beneficiaries. We are on track to complete the land distribution program within the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” said Pañgulayan, reaffirming the department’s dedication alongside DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III.
Legal Framework and ARB Responsibilities
Pañgulayan clarified that CLOAs are subject to legal restrictions under agrarian laws. Awarded lands cannot be sold, transferred, or encumbered without DAR’s approval. However, transfers are allowed under specific conditions, such as through inheritance, succession, or after meeting prescribed holding periods.
He also warned that ARBs could face disqualification for reasons such as:
- Abandonment of the awarded land
- Misuse or illegal conversion of agricultural land for commercial or residential purposes
- Unauthorized sale or transfer of awarded land
Relief Through the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA)
During the program, Pañgulayan also discussed the implementation of Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA). Under this landmark law, the DAR issues Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM) to ARBs, effectively condoning all unpaid amortizations, including principal debt, interest, and surcharges.
This policy provides financial relief to 610,054 ARBs cultivating 1.173 million hectares of land nationwide, writing off an estimated ₱57.56 billion in unpaid obligations.
“The DAR remains steadfast in its mission to implement genuine agrarian reform, as mandated by the 1987 Constitution. Through Land Tenure Improvement (LTI), Agrarian Justice, and coordinated Support Services, we continue to uplift the lives of our ARBs,” Pañgulayan emphasized.
This significant progress underscores DAR’s unwavering commitment to land reform, rural development, and the economic empowerment of Filipino farmers.