COTABATO CITY (December 12) — The Bangsamoro Government has condoned ₱36 million in agrarian debt and distributed 1,036 land titles covering 9,687 hectares to 3,744 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) across the region, marking one of the largest agrarian relief efforts in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) awarded the land titles and Certificates of Condonation and Release of Mortgage (COCROM) during a ceremony here on Dec. 9. The initiative is anchored on Republic Act 11953, or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which frees ARBs from decades-old debts and secures their legal ownership of farmlands. Beneficiaries came from Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, and Cotabato City.
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua said the distribution of COCROMs is historic, describing it as a “turning point” for thousands of families long burdened by inherited debt.
“This is not just an accomplishment; it is a turning point for families who, for years, carried debts they never chose—burdens that affected their future,” he said. He also reminded farmers to safeguard their land titles and use them to strengthen their livelihoods.
MAFAR Minister Abunawas Maslamama said the certificates represent both ownership and dignity. “Your farms feed our region, your labor strengthens our communities, and your determination inspires our efforts in government,” he said.
Department of Agrarian Reform Undersecretary for Field Operations Atty. Kazel Celeste emphasized the essential role of ARBs in food security. “Kayong mga ARBs ang hindi kayang mawala dahil kayo ang kailangan ng bawat Pilipino three times a day,” she told beneficiaries.
Bangsamoro Transition Authority Speaker Mohammad Yacob highlighted the deeper significance of land for families, calling it “security, dignity, and opportunity — the foundation upon which families build their futures.”
The event also included the second batch of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs) from the coverage of Camp Keithley in Lanao del Sur, distributing 425 CLOAs to 1,020 ARBs. In addition, the first ARB Identification Cards were issued to 352 beneficiaries.
MAFAR said the initiative, in partnership with DAR, is expected to strengthen ARB welfare across BARMM by securing land tenure, supporting farm investments, and empowering communities to contribute to sustained regional development.
