By Chona C. Bugayong & Ruby F. Rayat PIMRO LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Pangasinan Governor Ramon V. Guico III, together with Vice Gov. Mark Ronald DG. Lambino, joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his visit to the province for the distribution of various government assistance to fisherfolks, families, and farmers on July 19. Leading the ceremonial distribution of agrarian debt condonation certificates to 3,558 farmer-beneficiaries of Region 1, with Pangasinan having the most number of beneficiaries at 3,161; Ilocos Norte, 246; Ilocos Sur, 34; and La Union, 117, the President was quoted saying, “Ang mga certificate na ito ay simbolo ng katuparan ng ating pangako na buburahin natin ang pagkakautang ng ating agrarian reform beneficiaries dito sa Region 1.” It was another historic first in the province under the present administration since, one year after the enactment of the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA), the Department of Agrarian Reform conducted the first distribution of COCROMs to Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Region 1 (Ilocos Region) in Lingayen, Pangasinan. COCROMs covering a total of P50.6 million in agrarian debt, benefiting 3,558 Ilokano and Pangasinense ARBS, have been distributed. The distribution of the certificates is part of Republic Act (RA) No. 11953, also known as the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA). NAEA represents the most significant agrarian reform legislation enacted during the President’s administration and eases the burden of agrarian debt for thousands of farmer beneficiaries of land grants from the government. Through the NAEA, the National Government condones all unpaid outstanding loans, amortizations, interests, penalties, and surcharges arising from the award of agricultural lands to qualified farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and related agrarian laws. It likewise assumes the obligation of paying the remaining debt to landowners of beneficiaries who were granted lands under the Voluntary Land Transfer and Direct Payment Scheme. In effect, the NAEA gives land for free to the landless farmers and guarantees the provision of strategic support services to beneficiaries to enable them to achieve sustained farm productivity, increase their farm incomes, and improve the quality of life of their families. Also, the President issued Executive Order No. 40 series of 2023, which imposes a moratorium on the payment of land grant amortizations until 2028 for ARBs granted lands after the passage of the NAEA. As stated by Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Conrado Estrella III in his speech, more than 600 farmers benefited from the Condonation Law. Said beneficiaries will no longer pay their debts, which amount to over P57 billion. “Walang amortization fee, libre na ang lupa na natanggap sa administrasyon ni Presidente,” he disclosed. In addition to the COCROM program, the President also brought various forms of assistance to the province, including cash assistance for some 4,616 families from different localities in the province. Said distribution is under the ‘Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program’ of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which amounted to P46, 000,000. Gov. Guico, on behalf of the province, received presidential assistance worth P48.76 million. The other three Region 1 provinces also received assistance, as follows: Ilocos Norte, P50 million; Ilocos Sur, P43.33 million; and La Union, P42.9 million. Other assistance accorded to Pangasinan includes the following: Agri-Negosyo Loan Program amounting to P80 million; Crop Insurance Corporation-Indemnity check for farmers/fisherfolks worth P4,000,000; Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-Tulong Pangkabuhayan for displaced workers worth P20 million; Dept. of Trade and Industry’s shared service facilities amounting to more than P9.6 million; training allowance for metal art welding worth P68,000 plus tool kits worth more than P353,000 and P32,000 plus tool kits amounting to P35,000 for Masonry trainees. All attendees were given food packs and five kilos of rice each. Expressing his appreciation for the various assistance given to the province, Gov. Guico thanked the president on behalf of the more than three million Pangasinenses. “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa ating butihing Pangulo sa kanyang pagbisita at sa lahat ng programa na kanyang itinaguyod para sa kapakanan ng taumbayan,” Governor Guico said in his speech. Also present during the phenomenal event were DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DAR Undersecretary Kazel Celeste, DAR Regional Director Maria Anna Francisco, Congressman Arthur Celeste, governors and vice governors of the three provinces, and local chief executives, among many others.
