BALER, Aurora (PIA) — A total of 191 farmers in Dingalan, Aurora have been relieved of land debt following the Department of Agrarian Reform’s (DAR) distribution of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM).
The initiative forms part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s agrarian reform program aimed at easing the financial burden of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) by condoning unpaid land amortizations and related obligations.
DAR Aurora Officer-in-Charge Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer Josephine Aguinaldo said the intervention reflects the government’s continuing support for rural communities and efforts to strengthen food security.
She explained that the program seeks to provide ARBs with greater land tenure security, allowing them to focus on improving farm productivity and increasing family income without the burden of long-standing debt.
“COCROM is more than the cancellation of farm land debt; it gives agrarian reform beneficiaries renewed hope and opportunities to improve their livelihood and future through the continued support of the Department of Agrarian Reform,” Aguinaldo said.
The assistance covered 202 certificates of condonation involving about 107 hectares of agricultural land in Dingalan, condoning a total of ₱373,930.08 in unpaid land amortization obligations.
Farmer-beneficiary Rosita Astrera expressed gratitude to the government and DAR for the assistance extended to agrarian reform beneficiaries in Aurora.
She said the program brought relief to farming families and encouraged beneficiaries to continue improving their agricultural livelihoods.
The initiative was strengthened through Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, signed into law in July 2023 by President Marcos.
This permanently condones unpaid land amortizations, interest, and penalties for lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
With the implementation of the program, agrarian reform beneficiaries in Aurora are expected to gain stronger land ownership security and greater opportunities to improve productivity and increase household income.(CLJD/MAT, PIA Region 3-Aurora)
