DAR empowers around 4,000 Cordilleran Farmers with Php 80M Loan Condonation, Land Titles, Farm Machineries, Farm-to-Market Roads
TABUK CITY – A landmark event unfolded in Kalinga Astrodome, Tabuk City, Kalinga, as around 4000 farmers from across the Cordillera Administrative Region gathered to celebrate land ownership and economic empowerment for Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) on December 6, 2024.
Under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (Republic Act 11953), the event marked the awarding of 1,944 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgages (CoCRoM) of Php 80,170,550.42 amount condoned.
With this, 188 Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), and 391 Electronic Titles (E-titles) were distributed to 515 ARBs. Additionally, the ceremony featured the turnover of seven Farm-to-Market Roads (FMRs) worth Php 90 Million with a span of 4.43 kilometers and benefitting Agrarian Reform Communities in Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province.
193 Farm Machineries Equipment (FMEs) were also turned over to 81 ARB Organizations, with a total of 2,367 ARB members, symbolizing a brighter future for the region’s farmers. Four Solar Irrigation Projects worth Php 51.2 Million was also turned over to Kalinga and Mountain Province, covering a total length of 120 hectares.
The gathering was graced by key officials, including DAR-CAR Regional Director Samuel S. Solomero, Kalinga Governor James Edduba, Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang, Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr., Presidential Communication Office Asec. Antonio Tabora and DAR Central Office, Asec. Atty Eugene P. Follante and Asec. Rodolfo Castil Jr. With the support of partner government agencies and ARBs from various Cordillera provinces also participated in this milestone event.
The program commenced with DAR Regional Director Solomero’s acknowledgment of the attendees. He highlighted the life-changing significance of the occasion, explaining that the certificates of condonation would erase financial burdens, including interest and surcharges, freeing farmers from long-standing debts. “This initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity and improve the economic standing of farmers,” Solomero said. He emphasized that this step not only provides legal ownership but also paves the way for economic empowerment, echoing DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III’s congratulatory message.
“Dakel ti iyaman ko ditoy nga administrasyon ditoy inpatawid da nga libre a daga,” shared Marcelo Gisugen, an ARB from Kalinga and a recipient of a land title. He expressed gratitude for the government’s support, including training and machinery equipment to enhance their production.
Senator Imee Romualdez Marcos, the guest of honor, through a video message expressed her joy and affirmed her commitment to furthering the farmers’ cause. “Hindi pa tapos ang laban natin. Marami pang paparating na IMEEsolusyon,” she assured, hinting at more initiatives for the farmers’ benefit.
Kalinga Vice Governor Jocel Baac welcomed participants with a heartfelt message. Reflecting on the significance of the event, he said, “Today, we celebrate a legacy of change.” Baac expressed pride in the province hosting such a monumental occasion and called for unity among stakeholders to ensure agrarian reform programs reach more farmers in need. He highlighted that the NAEA ensures farmers can pass their lands to future generations without financial constraints.
The ceremony also celebrated the long-awaited distribution of titles. Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Tabora described the day as “a historic milestone for farmers,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to agrarian reform. “Today marks the culmination of years of waiting,” he said, underlining the importance of infrastructure projects, including FMRs and FMEs, in boosting farmers’ productivity.
Asec. Eugene Follante elaborated on the law’s impact, underscoring the transformative power of the condonation program. He explained how collective CLOAs had been subdivided into individual titles under the SPLIT project, ensuring that ARBs now have full ownership of their lands. “Thanks to the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, these lands are now free from financial burdens,” Follante said, acknowledging the collective efforts of the government in making these changes possible.
Asec. Rodolfo Castil Jr. reminded ARBs of their responsibility as landowners, urging them to utilize their lands productively. “The dreams of farmers are the dreams of the nation,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for careful stewardship of these awarded lands to contribute to national agricultural growth.
Mountain Province Congressman Maximo Dalog Jr. highlighted the symbolic and practical importance of the day. “This land is mine because I have the papers to prove it,” he remarked, encouraging beneficiaries to honor their newly acquired rights by cultivating their lands responsibly.
Kalinga Congressman Allen Jesse Mangaoang praised the dedication of farmers who had tilled the land for years without security. “This is not just a source of livelihood but a legacy for your children and their future,” he said, inspiring the crowd with his message.
“Our dreams will never die,” declared Governor James Edduba, comparing the event to a known song. He congratulated the ARBs for reaching this milestone and expressed optimism for the opportunities these awarded lands would bring to families and communities across Kalinga.
As the ceremony concluded, the turnover of FMRs and FMEs symbolized the government’s continued dedication to uplifting farmers’ lives. With secure land ownership and improved infrastructure, the event paved the way for a sustainable and prosperous future for Cordillera’s farmers. The New Agrarian Emancipation Act is more than a policy; it is a promise fulfilled, ensuring farmers’ active role in the nation’s agricultural growth. (PR)