(Photo courtesy of DAR via Jose Alsmith L. Soria)
In the small town of Jiabong, Samar, Juliana Cabubas feels a profound sense of relief and gratitude as she holds her newly awarded Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM).
For Juliana and her husband, this document represents much more than just a piece of paper; it signifies a significant transformation in their lives.
The couple, who received a 1,893-square-meter farm lot under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), is now free from unpaid amortizations totaling over P1,400.
The recent initiative by the Department of Agrarian Reform has alleviated over P8 million in unpaid land amortizations for agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Samar province.
This achievement was made possible by distributing COCROMs during a two-day event that positively impacted the lives of 401 recipients, including Juliana.
We are so grateful for this help given to us by the president that we are relieved of a financial burden,” she expressed, her smile wide with gratitude.
“This support from our government, especially President Bongbong Marcos, means so much to us,” she added.
The distribution was not just about certificates; it represented hope for a better future. Covering 728.3497 hectares of farmland in different places in Samar, the initiative aims to empower ARBs to utilize their awarded land productively.
Segundino Pagliawan, provincial agrarian reform program officer of DAR Samar, highlighted the need to maximize these plots to support the government’s food security program.
This is not just about ownership; it’s about responsibility to our community and our country,” Pagliawan stated during the distribution in various towns, including Basey and Calbayog City.
The government’s support includes debt relief and the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) to 92 ARBs. Of these, 87 beneficiaries received individual e-titles through the World Bank-funded SPLIT Project, which aims to improve land tenure security.
For families like Juliana’s, this provides financial relief and encourages them to cultivate their land as a source of sustenance. With debt lifted, they can invest in farming and contribute to national food security.
(AAC, PIA Samar, with reports from Jose Alsmith L. Soria, DAR’s Information Officer)
