By Brian Campued
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to advancing agrarian reform and supporting the agriculture sector, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday led the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) to agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Pampanga.
During the ceremony in the Municipality of Bacolor, the President said the distribution of CLOAs and COCROMs would help ease farmers’ plight by freeing them from debt totaling P206.38 million, including unpaid amortizations, interests, and other surcharges.
“Simula ngayon, pinapawalang bisa na po natin ang inyong utang sa lupang ipinagkaloob sa inyo sa ilalim ng repormang agraryo,” Marcos said.
“Isa pa ito sa talagang ating mga layunin, isang hakbang ito upang pagtibayin pa ang sektor ng agrikultura at matulungan na maiangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga magsasaka.”
A total of 2,487 ARBs received COCROMs, while 28 others received their CLOAs.
As mandated by Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which was signed by the President into law in July 2023, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed a total of 160,516 CLOAs and 41,675 COCROMs under the Marcos Jr. Administration.
The Chief Executive also called on stakeholders to strengthen the agriculture sector and continue supporting the farmers.
“Nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon din ang aming handog ngayong araw para sa panibagong yugto sa inyong mga buhay, kung saan hindi lamang kayo at ang inyong pamilya ang aasenso, maging ang buong bansa ay kasama ninyo sa inyong tagumpay,” he said.
“Ito po ang aking panawagan: Magkaisa tayo sa pagtatanim ng mga binhi ng pag-asa para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
Meanwhile, Marcos shared that the government is looking to increase seedling nurseries nationwide to reduce reliance on importation of agricultural goods to meet local demand.
During the President’s meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council in Malacañang on Tuesday, unused lands owned by state universities and colleges were eyed to be repurposed for seedling production.
“Para po ang ating mga magsasaka ay ang kanilang ginagamit na variety na itatanim, hindi lamang na palay kung ’di pati na ang mga gulay, ’yong pinakamaganda at sapat na hindi na tayo nagi-import,” he said.
“Sigurado ako na sa ganitong paraan ay makakatulong ito sa ilang pangunahing industriya ninyo rito sa Pampanga, kagaya ng pagsasaka, specialty food, at ang food processing.”
—av