The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Negros Oriental will distribute land titles and Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (CoCRoM) to 1,304 farmers, an official said Thursday.

Manuel Galon, DAR Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that this batch of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) will receive their Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs), e-titles, and CoCRoM documents.

Among the recipients, 98 ARBs will receive CLOAs, 503 will receive e-titles, and 520 will receive CoCRoM, covering a total of 1,442.64 hectares of land.

“The ARBs will now have their individual titles, although they previously received collective titles distributed by DAR,” Galon said.

The distribution of CoCRoM is mandated by Republic Act 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which frees ARBs from the financial obligations of paying loans and other debts associated with their land.

RA 11953 is “an act emancipating agrarian reform beneficiaries from financial burden by condoning all principal loans, unpaid amortizations and interests, and exempting payment of estate tax on agricultural lands awarded under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.”

The e-title recipients are from Canlaon City, Vallehermoso, Guihulngan City, Jimalalud, Tayasan, Ayungon, Manjuyod, Bais City, Mabinay, Tanjay City, Pamplona, Amlan, Siaton, Sta. Catalina, Bayawan City, and Basay.

CoCRoM beneficiaries include farmers from La Libertad, Bindoy, San Jose, Bacong, Dauin, and Zamboanguita.

Galon said many CARP beneficiaries have applied for CoCRoM after learning about the condonation. He added additional distributions of CoCRoM and land titles are planned in the coming months.

DAR Undersecretary Rowena Niña Taduran, Senator Imee Marcos, and Rep. Camille Villar are expected to attend the distribution ceremony on Saturday afternoon at the plenary hall of the convention center in Dumaguete City. (PNA)