Thousands of farmers in Soccsksargen received land titles, debt relief, and farm equipment during the Department of Agrarian Reform’s first Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Summit in Region XII.
Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III led the distribution of government assistance at the Lagao Gymnasium, where DAR awarded 107 electronic land titles covering 133.23 hectares to farmer-beneficiaries from South Cotabato and Cotabato under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling project.
The agency also distributed 4,922 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage, wiping out P603.47 million in agrarian debts under Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.
The debt condonation covered 8,021.88 hectares of agricultural land across the region.
DAR also turned over P3.74 million worth of farm machinery and equipment to three agrarian reform beneficiaries’ organizations in Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato under its Climate Resilient Farm Productivity Support Project.
The assistance included tractors, rice mills, peanut threshers, shellers, grinders, seeders, knapsack sprayers, and other equipment meant to raise farm productivity and help farmers cope with climate-related challenges.
Estrella said the government remains committed to giving farmers the security of land ownership, freeing them from long-standing agrarian debts, and providing support services to improve their livelihood.
“Many of you have waited a long time for your titles. Now, your dream of owning the land you till is finally becoming a reality,” he said.
Among the beneficiaries was Rosalie Walohan of Tupi, South Cotabato, who said receiving a land title meant stability and a better future for her family.
“Owning land has long been our dream, and through DAR, that dream has finally come true,” Walohan said.
DAR said the summit forms part of its continuing efforts to strengthen agrarian reform in Mindanao by combining land distribution, debt relief, and farm support to help rural communities become more productive and resilient.