The title of this piece encapsulates the exact directive issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Sept. 12, 2023 to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) when he attended the presentation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11953, known as the “New Agrarian Emancipation Act.”

“I urge the DAR, with all government agencies, to strive for a smooth and immediate execution of this IRR so that our beneficiaries may be freed from the burden of debts and reap the benefits from the land that they tirelessly cultivate,” the President said. 

The President cited that the new law, which he signed on July 7, condones all loans, including interests, penalties, and surcharges incurred by agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from land awarded to them. 

The journey of this legislation began a year ago when the President issued Executive Order (EO) No. 4, imposing a one-year moratorium on the amortization payments by ARBs. Eventually, this passed in Congress, which is among the 22 priority bills of the administration. With this new law firmly established with an IRR, it is poised to “help some 610,054 ARBs, covering an estimated 1.173 million hectares of land.” 

The IRR was crafted based on DAR’s simultaneous public consultations with stakeholders. These consultations included participation from representatives of ARBs from all 15 regions, including the BARMM, as well as concerned farmers’ groups and civil society organizations.

In a media statement, the condoning of agrarian reform debt would benefit the ARBs who incurred an estimated ₱57.55 billion in unpaid amortization. Furthermore, it also terminates ₱206.247 million in unpaid compensation to landowners by 10,201 ARBs.

Additional benefits extended to ARBs include exemption from payment of estate tax and mandatory inclusion in the Registry System of Basic Sectors in Agriculture, which gives them access to support services of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Numerous lawmakers lauded the signing of the law and the call of the President for the immediate implementation of the IRR. For one, Speaker Martin Romualdez said that DAR’s early submission of the IRR is a “significant step toward fulfilling the promise of the (law) to uplift the lives of farmers, revitalize the agricultural sector, and provide affordable food for every family.” 

This move to eradicate the ARBs’ indebtedness is just the first step in assisting them to attain better productivity. In fact, the President has assured farmers of the government’s continued support, providing them with access to credit, training, technology, equipment, and other essential services. 

“As we chart a path toward a more self-sufficient and equitable Philippines, this administration reaffirms its commitment to enrich the lives of our farmers, ensure the rapid industrialization of our farmlands, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth in the countryside,” Marcos said. 

As the President marked his 66th birthday on Sept. 13, he expressed his delight at the issuance of the IRR of RA 11953, considering it the “best birthday gift.” As for his birthday wish, he has nothing for himself since he only wishes that the country’s agriculture sector be fixed once and for all. 

His birthday wish is something that we also wish would happen one day since the success of our agriculture sector will also signify the success of the entire nation — where no Filipino goes hungry and no Filipino farmer bears the burden of debt.