The Marcos administration has freed 3,527 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Tarlac from debt with the distribution of 4,663 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) on Monday, Sept. 30.

In his speech during the distribution event in Paniqui, Tarlac, President Marcos said the COCROMs condoned P124.64 million in debt owed by the Tarlac farmers to the government.

He added that the event was a way of showing gratitude to the farmers who ensure food sufficiency in the country despite all the challenges.

"Sinasagot at inaalis na ng gobyerno ang malaking pasanin na dala ng mga utang na naging kakambal ng inyong mga lupang sakahan. Ang inyong mga amortisasyon, interes, at iba pang surcharges – lahat po burado na (The government is removing the burden caused by debt that came with the land you are farming. The amortization, interest, and other surcharges are now erased)," Marcos said.

"Tanggapin po ninyo ang aming pasasalamat sa mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ninyo araw-araw para masiguro na ang bawat Pilipino ay may sapat na pagkain (Please accept our token of appreciation for your important role in ensuring that Filipinos have enough food)," he added.

The COCROMs released to the ARBs in Tarlac cover a land area of 4,132.13 hectares.

The Certificates of Condonation will free ARBs from their debts. An ARB may receive more than one COCROM since he can receive more than one Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) depending on the technical description of the land.

According to President Marcos, his administration is committed to working and aiding the ARBs amid challenges.

"Nandito kami at patuloy na nakikinig sa inyong mga pangangailangan upang magkaroon kayo ng mas maginhawa at mas matatag na kinabukasan (We will continue heeding your requests so you could have a more comfortable and more resilient future)," he said.

President Marcos also requested the ARBs to make their lands productive.

"May isa lamang akong hiling sa inyo: kaakibat ng mga biyayang ito ay ang responsibilidad na pagyamanin pa ang ating mga lupa, hindi lamang sa ika-uunlad ninyo, kung hindi para sa buong Pilipinas (I only have one wish: This blessing comes with a responsibility to nurture your lands for your and the country's benefit)," he said.

According to Malacañan, the event was a significant step in the government’s efforts to ease the financial burden on ARBs, with over P124 million being condoned, relieving beneficiaries of unpaid debts for land received under agrarian reform.

In compliance with Republic Act (RA) No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is working to condone unsettled payments and interest on agricultural lands covered by agrarian reform laws.

The law, signed by President Marcos on July 7, 2023, also mandates the dismissal of all pending court cases related to these unsettled payments.

Looking ahead, the DAR aims to distribute certificates to as many as 300,000 ARBs by 2025, extending the program’s benefits to more farmers nationwide.