The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said lawmakers are planning to pass a complimentary law that would support the current policies on the loan condonation and moratorium on payments of amortization and interest of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
Conrado Estrella III, DAR secretary, said in an interview with PTV-4 yesterday the goal is to observe the implementation of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act for at least two years and resolve remaining issues through another law.
Estrella said this new law and Executive Order No. 4 Series of 2022 aim to strengthen the New Agrarian Emancipation Act which is expected to benefit 600,000 ARBs.
Under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act only those beneficiaries who secured their land titles before July 24, 2022 can avail the condonation.
Estrella said EO 4 made sure that ARBs who secured their land titles beyond July 24, 2022 can also enjoy the loan condonation.
Estrella said the DAR aims to clear the loans of as much as 200,000 ARBs out of the target 600,000 before yearend.
“I will sign a special order to create condonation quick response centers … ,” Estrella added.
DAR said the condonation of ARBs’ loans is expected to improve local production as farmers can allocate their expenses to farm inputs instead.
The agency added the recent policies also removed estate taxes on lands inherited from ARBs. -Jed Macapagal
