The government’s condonation program freed from debt 1,762 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Guimaras this year.

The 1,803 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) for 1,762 ARBs will be distributed in a major ceremony, together with the turnover of 1,050 electronic titles under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titles Project, on Jan. 11, 2026.

The condoned amount totalling PHP87.51 million covers an area of 2,161.92 hectares.

Guimaras Agrarian Reform Program Officer Lourdes Novilla, in an interview on Wednesday, said that a ceremonial distribution for certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs), electronic titles and COCROMs, was held on Monday as a prelude to the major event next month.

“Upon the directive of Secretary Conrado Estrella III, we have to do the ceremonial distribution to show our agrarian reform beneficiaries that we are serious in delivering our 2025 targets,” she said.

Novilla said that part of their commitment in 2025 was to deliver 1,050 electronic titles, covering the area of 1,310 hectares and 680 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

During the ceremonial distribution at their provincial office on Dec. 22, they only released 10 titles, covering more or less 20 hectares, and three certificates of condonation, amounting to PHP149, 223.65.

“It was only ceremonial because it is part of the portion of the titles which we will distribute come this January. We would like to tell the beneficiaries that, eventually, for this year, your certificates of land ownership award will be distributed to you,” Novilla said.

The distribution was graced by DAR Assistant Secretary Quintin Magsico Jr.

Novilla also said that right now, they are already distributing individual titles, instead of the CLOAs for ARBs to enjoy ownership of their land. (PNA)