After 50 years of the Philippines agrarian reform, it took another Marcos to distribute Free Land to the Land Less! 

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has signed R.A. No. 11953, the landmark New Agrarian Emancipation Act calling for the condonation or write off of more than PHP 57 Billion of unpaid amortizations and interests for payment by 610,054 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), covering 1,173,101.57 hectares of awarded agrarian reform lands. 

The historic ceremony for the signing of The New Agrarian Emancipation Act was held at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace and was attended by the entire cabinet, led by Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III, including Secretary Ben Diokno of the Department of Finance and Secretary Amenah Pangandaman of the Department of Budget and Management. The event was also graced by the presence of our esteemed senators and congressmen, along with 200 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from Region III and IV-A. 

During the ceremony, our partners from the World Bank and Land Bank of the Philippines expressed their support for the act, highlighting its importance in promoting social justice and economic development in the country.

With the presence of entire government, the ARBs can expect sustained support services after their debts are written off. Secretary Estrella spoke in the language that farmers can understand. He said, “Siyempre ito hong pamahalaan na ito ay nakaumang ang isang katutak na support services na ibibigay sa kanila na katulad ng ginawa po ng ama ng ating Pangulo at ng lolo ko po noong panahon nila.”

After the signing ceremonies, President Marcos proceeded from Kalayaan Hall to Ceremonial Hall where he distributed E-Titles to ARBs from the nearby provinces
and signaled the mass distribution of 32,441 E-Titles to agrarian reform beneficiaries, held simultaneously in all provinces and regions of the country. 

Covered by the new law are the agrarian reform beneficiaries that were granted lands under P.D. 27, Republic Act 6657 as amended by Republic Act 9700 and who have outstanding loan balances payable to the LBP and to private land owners, upon its effectivity. 

Section 2, paragraph 2 of the Act provides that,” upon effectivity of this Act, the individual loans, interests, penalties and surcharges secured under the comprehensive agrarian reform program, or from other agrarian reform program or laws, are hereby condoned and written off by the Government, thereby relieving them from the burden of payment, thereof.” 

The sweeping provisions of the new law will result in giving land for free to the landless with the government shouldering all payments to land owners via the Land Bank of Philippines to be sourced from the agrarian reform fund. Even previously awarded lands that were taken back due to non-payments by ARBs will be reconstituted and all pending cases be dismissed motu propio by both quasi-judicial and judicial bodies. 

Amending pertinent provisions of R.A. 6657 (CARP Law) & R.A. 9700 (CARPER Law), the new agrarian emancipation law will likewise terminate compensation by ARBs to landowners under voluntary land transfers and direct payment schemes and shall be subrogated unto the government and be paid for to land owners by the LBP. 

Moreover, ARBs who are still to receive their awarded lands under CARP or other agrarian reform laws shall not be obliged to pay any amortizations. All other private agricultural lands that are covered by CARP Laws shall be distributed at no costs to ARBs. 

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will issue a Certificate of Condonation to each ARB with a Notice of Condonation to be annotated by the Registry of Deeds into the affected EPs, CLOAs or other Titles, by this New Agrarian Emancipation Law. 

Section 7 of the Law also exempts the land awarded to the ARB from payment of Estate Tax and calls on all LGUs to enact local tax amnesty on real property and transfer property taxes. 

More importantly, broadened support services shall be extended to ARBs in the attainment of agricultural productivity and resiliency, enterprise development, and financial literacy of the ARBs, as well as the need for sustenance, dwelling, clothing, medical assistance, education, transportation, among others. 

ARBs who have completed payment of amortization schedule and payment of their interest charges for their awarded lands, shall be given preference in the giving of credit facilities and support services. 

“We need to revitalize the agricultural sector, so we endeavor to attract and train new generations of young farmers who will be the driving force behind a modernized and profitable agriculture sector that fuels sustainable rural development,” President Marcos said. 

Furthermore, he promises, “As president, I assure you that we are never going to stop providing our farmers with the support they need to help make their farms more productive while also improving their lives and those of their families.” 

This ceremony marks an important moment in our country’s history, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact that The New Agrarian Emancipation Act will have on the lives of our farmers.