The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Bicol, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, successfully concluded the Distribution of Land Titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) on June 23, 2025 at the Fuerte Sports Complex, Cadlan, Pili.
Over 5,000 qualified ARBs from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon received land titles, such as Emancipation Patents, Certificates of Land Ownership Awards, e-Titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling project, and Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM). A total of 9,141.2771 hectares and P111,005,161.75 total condonation amount were awarded. This year’s event also marked the largest distribution of land titles and COCROMs in the region, with a total of 6,665.
The distribution event was attended by Rowena Niña O. Taduran, DAR Undersecretary for the Special Concerns Office and the External Affairs and Communications Operations Office, along with officials from the regional and local government, underscoring the administration's collective effort to enhance the socio-economic conditions of Filipino farmers.
The issuance of land titles and COCROM is covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and also aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s “New Agrarian Emancipation Act” (RA 11953), which targets to uplift the lives of Filipino farmers through promoting land ownership, condonation of agrarian debts, overdue amortization, and enhanced agricultural output. Through this program, ARBs are entitled to their land and need not worry about their land debts since the government has fully settled them.
One of the ARBs is Marian Rosela from San Pedro, Iriga City, who received a COCROM and a land title during the event. Because of poverty and the loss of their parents, they were unable to settle their land debts.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa programa ng DAR, dahil dito nagkaroon po ng oportunidad ang mga mahihirap na kagaya namin na masarili ‘yung lupa na hindi po kami namomroblema kung paano po namin mababayaran yung mga utang po. Salamat din po kay Pres. Marcos dahil sa programa pong ito, makakahinga na po kami ng maayos,” she said.
Rosela also mentioned that following the division of their land among her siblings, they intend to cultivate it with crops and various vegetables to repay the government for settling their debts and addressing their problems.
Ricardo C. Garcia, PARPO II from DAR Cam Sur, also said, “Sa mga ARBs ta po, pagyamanon po nindo an dagang iyan. Kami ngani na mga empleyado sa agrarian mayo kaming mga titulo, so iyan po mga oportunidad na sarong beses lang po maabot sato. An daga po, dawa pirang henerasyon pa an maglipas, mawawalat ta mawawalat iyan sa mga heredera nindo. An DAR igwa din siyang support services huli ta nagtutubod si Pres. Marcos asin Sec. Conrado Estrella III na dae sapat an titulo kan daga o an daga mismo, kundi kaipuhan nin suporta para mapadagos ninda an pag-improve kan saindang farms and mag-improve na din an saindang pagbuhay-buhay,” he shared.
DAR Bicol, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Camarines Sur, remains dedicated to its goal of transforming agrarian reform communities by providing access to land ownership, financial assistance, and support services.
