Marcos relieves PHP1.15B debt for Isabela ARBs, distributes 456 CLOAs

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. relieved agrarian reform beneficiaries in Isabela of over PHP1.15 billion in debts and distributed 456 Certificates of Land Ownership Awards during a ceremony at the Josefina T. Albano Cultural Sports Complex on Friday.

The condonation of unpaid principal amortizations, interest, and surcharges is mandated under Republic Act 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which Marcos signed into law last year.

Marcos also distributed 25,773 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs) to free ARBs from land amortization and encouraged beneficiaries to focus on upgrading their skills and making their lands more productive.

The President announced plans to establish more seedling nurseries across the country to reduce reliance on imported agricultural goods and meet local demand, urging state universities to shift focus towards seed production by agriculture students.

Marcos emphasized during his meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council - Agriculture Sector that farmers should take care of growing seedlings while new agronomists and agriculturists focus on seed production to boost productivity.