President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday recognized the significant contributions of farmers in ensuring food sufficiency in the country despite all the challenges.

“Tanggapin po ninyo ang aming pasasalamat sa mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ninyo araw-araw para masiguro na ang bawat Pilipino ay may sapat na pagkain,” President Marcos said during the distribution of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) in Paniqui, Tarlac.

A total of 3,527 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Tarlac received 4,663 COCROMs, freeing them from PhP124.64 million in debts.

It should be noted that an ARB may receive more than one COCROM since the ARB can receive more than one Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) depending on the technical description of the land.

President Marcos said the government is aware of the challenges the ARBs face, which prompted him to sign into law last year Republic Act No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act.

“Sinasagot at inaalis na ng gobyerno ang malaking pasanin na dala ng mga utang na naging kakambal ng inyong mga lupang sakahan. Ang inyong mga amortisasyon, interes, at iba pang surcharges – lahat po burado na,” President Marcos said.

The Chief Executive assured the ARBs of the government’s unwavering commitment to uplift their lives and relieve them from their indebtedness. | PND