House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (Speaker’s office, Facebook)



House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Committee on Appropriations Chairman Zaldy Co have high hopes for the newly-signed New Agrarian Emancipation Act, particularly in terms of boosting the production of Filipino farmers. “I have a strong feeling that the new law would pave the way for our farmers to produce more rice, which is our basic staple, and other crops that they grow in between rice planting,” Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, July 9. The Leyte 1st district congressman was referring to Republic Act (RA) No. 11953, which President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed to much fanfare over the weekend. RA No. 11953 writes off "all principal loans, unpaid amortization and interests” of 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the time of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. up to the present. The condoned obligations are pegged at P58 billion. Romualdez said most of the more than 610,000 beneficiaries of the new law and who are tilling about 1.1 million hectares of land are rice farmers. “Now that our farmers will soon be free of debt, I hope that they will be able to increase their produce to at least 100 50-kilo bags per hectare, from the present 60 to 70 cavans. But of course, the government will have to help along the way,” he said. “The next step is aiding them to those objectives by providing them with or giving them access to credit, technology, equipment, inputs, and other vital support services. Let us leave them to fend for themselves,” added the House leader. Co, a nominee of Ako Bicol Party-list in the House of Representatives, expressed similar elation over the landmark condonation measure. "By condoning the debts of our farmers, the New Agrarian Emancipation Act provides them with a fresh start and the opportunity to improve their livelihoods." “The Marcos administration has significantly bolstered the resources available to farmers. These resources will enable farmers to enhance the productivity of their farms and improve their quality of life," Co said. This move, the second-term lawmaker noted, represents a tangible step toward empowering farmers and ensuring their access to land. Co likewise said that the simultaneous nationwide distribution of approximately 31,831 land titles to 23,699 ARBs that will be led by President Marcos following the signing of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act further underscores the government's commitment to supporting local farmers. "The distribution of land titles under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act is a clear demonstration of the government's dedication to agrarian reform and the welfare of our farmers. It is a crucial step towards providing security and empowerment to our agrarian reform beneficiaries," he said.