BALER, Aurora (PIA) — A total of 85 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Aurora are now in a stronger position to improve their livelihood following the cancellation of their land debts through the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) issuance of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM).
Rogelio Lobusta, a 64-year-old farmer from Maria Aurora town, is one of the beneficiaries who received debt relief.
He said the condonation lifted a heavy, long-standing burden from his family after years of financial obligation.
“Having nearly 30 years of debt wiped out is a huge relief for our family. It gives us the chance to focus on improving our farm and securing our future,” he shared.
DAR Aurora Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Josephine Aguinaldo disclosed that a total of 95 COCROMs have been distributed this year 2025, covering 69 hectares of land.
“These certificates condone almost ₱1.9 million in unpaid amortizations, interest, and penalties owed by agrarian reform beneficiaries to Land Bank,” she said.
The beneficiaries came from various municipalities in Aurora, including 11 from San Luis, 25 from Maria Aurora, 23 from Casiguran, nine from Dilasag, seven each from Dipaculao and Dingalan, and three from Dinalungan.
Meanwhile, Aguinaldo encouraged agrarian reform beneficiaries to use the savings from their cleared debts to invest in their farms, improve productivity, and enhance their overall livelihood.
“We advise them to use the money they would have spent on payments as capital to develop their land and improve their livelihood. Rest assured, our agency remains open to assist and guide them,” she added.
In 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which cancels unpaid land amortizations and authorizes the government to settle remaining balances with Land Bank on behalf of qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries.
Since the program’s rollout in Aurora, nearly ₱48 million in land debts have been written off, benefiting 1,444 agrarian reform beneficiaries. (CLJD/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
