THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has distributed land titles, Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (Cocroms), and provision of support service, benefitting thousands of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) across the region.
The distribution was held Friday, July 11, 2025, at the Zamboanga del Norte Cultural and Sports Center in Dipolog City.
Lawyer Ramon Madro al Jr., DAR-Zamboanga Peninsula director, said a total of 1,865 land titles were distributed, covering a total of 3,723.73 hectares, and benefiting 1,707 ARBs.
Of the 1,865 land titles, 244 are regular land titles and 1,621 electronic titles (e-Titles) under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling Project (Project SPLIT).
"These titles represent legal ownership and land tenure security for thousands of ARBs across the region," said Madro al, who led the distribution of land titles.
He said 3,416 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage were awarded to 3,006 ARBs, officially forgiving their outstanding debts with the Land Bank of the Philippines, as mandated under Republic Act 11953.
The condonation allows the beneficiaries to start anew, free from the burden of land-related loans.
To further empower agrarian reform communities, DAR-Zamboanga Peninsula also turned over various farm machinery and equipment valued at approximately P12.3 million to selected 39 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Organizations (ARBOs), benefitting a total of 6,243 farmer beneficiaries.
The farm machinery and equipment are expected to boost agricultural productivity and promote sustainable farming practices.
In a video message, Rowena Ni a Taduran, DAR undersecretary for Special Concerns Office (SCO) and External Affairs and Communications Operations Office (EACOO), congratulated the ARBs for receiving their land titles and Cocroms, and reminded them to care for their land.
"Makakaasa po kayo na hindi dito nagtatapos ang tulong ng DAR, kundi maging sa iba't ibang support services provision para sa sustainable development ng inyong mga lupain. Kaya't inyong ingatan at palaguin ang lupang ipinagkaloob sa inyo (You can be assured that DAR's assistance does not end here but will continue through various support services aimed at the sustainable development of your lands. So take care of and make the most of the land that has been granted to you)," Taduran said.
The distribution of land titles and Crocoms is part of DAR's ongoing mission to implement agrarian reform programs that uplift rural lives and promote inclusive development to farming communities. (SunStar Zamboanga)