The government has relieved 2,487 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in the province of Pampanga of over PHP206 million in debts and obligations on agricultural lands awarded under the agrarian reform program.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led the distribution of Certificates of Condonation and Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) to the ARBs in a ceremony at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor town in Pampanga on Thursday.

The condonation of all unpaid principal amortizations, interest, and surcharges of ARBs on agricultural lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program is mandated under Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA), which Marcos signed into law in July last year.

According to the President, the move is in line with his administration’s thrust to help farmers and the agricultural sector.

“Isang hakbang ito upang pagtibayin pa ang sektor ng agrikultura at matulungan na maiangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga magsasaka (This is a step to further strengthen the agricultural sector and help improve the lives of our farmers),” Marcos said.

In the same ceremony, Marcos also handed 30 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) covering over 3,900 hectares of land to ARBs.

More seedling nurseries

In the same speech, the President bared that the government is looking to establish more seedling nurseries across the country to reduce reliance on importation of agricultural goods to meet local demand.

The proposal, according to Marcos, was raised during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on Tuesday in Malacañang, where unused lands owned by State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) were eyed to be repurposed for seedling production.

Pampanga, known as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, would benefit from the initiative, according to the Chief Executive.

“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 (I am sure that this will help some of your main industries here in Pampanga, such as farming, specialty food, and food processing),” he said. (PNA)