By Villamor Visaya Jr.
CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela-Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III has awarded 9,257 certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to 5,870 agrarian reform beneficiaries in a regionwide ceremony at the Capital Arena on July 31 here.
The awarding rites had officially condoned P260.17-million unpaid amortizations on lands awarded through agrarian reform involving 6,389.25-hectare lands.
He also led the distribution of 1,805 land titles, which include individual land titles or e-titles under the Support to Parcelization for Individual Titling (SPLIT) project to at 1,512 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) involving 3,149 agricultural lands across the region.
“This will provide significant relief and economic opportunity for the farmer-agrarian reform beneficiaries as they would finally be free from decades of debts and help them start anew,” Estrella said, getting applause from about 6,000 spectators from Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino provinces.
Estrella III noted that the COCROM, which is issued under the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act enacted in 2023, condones all unpaid amortizations, interests, and penalties incurred by ARBs for lands awarded to them under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
The SPLIT project, funded by the World Bank, refers to the speedy subdivision and distribution of collective certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) into individual titles.
During the occasion, Estrella III also launched the Abogado ti Mannalon (Lawyer of the Farmers) program spearheaded by the Agrarian Reform department with the National Prosecution Service, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Tuguegarao Young Lawyers Initiative, and the Public Attorney’s Office to uphold “agrarian reform justice”. The program has aimed to enhance free legal assistance for ARBs and qualified beneficiaries.
Estrella III also projected to distribute 200,000 titles this year aside from the 100,000 titles given last year, reporting a 580-percent hike in combined accomplishments under its Support for Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (SPLIT) and Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) programs in 2024.
Kathrine Kelm, World Bank senior land administration specialist, the issuance of individual titles will help beneficiaries to gain greater security over the land.
“This is a key factor in fostering investment, sustainable agricultural practices and improved livelihoods. The World Bank’s full experience demonstrates the secure land right contribute to increase the agricultural activity and food security when individuals and communities have confidence in their land rights, they are in better position to make long term improvements and contribute to local development,” she said.#
