CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (April 27, 2026) — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Northern Mindanao distributed land titles, canceled debts, and provided farm support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries during a stakeholders’ forum on April 23 at the Corpus Christi Gym

The activity, led by DAR Finance, Management and Administration Office Undersecretary
Amihilda Sangcopan, gathered government officials and farmers from Bukidnon, Camiguin,
Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental.
A total of 185 beneficiaries received Emancipation Patents and Certificates of Land Ownership
Awards covering 81.2498 hectares. Another 30 beneficiaries received individual e-titles under
Project SPLIT covering 33.1126 hectares.
“Importante kaayo ni sa amoa kay naa na mi yuta nga kaugalingon. Nakabenepisyo pud akong
anak nga na-scholar sa DAR ug nakagraduate,” said Samson Batuguinas, 65, an agrarian reform
beneficiary from Misamis Oriental.
(This is very important because we now have land of our own. My child also benefited from
DAR through a scholarship and was able to graduate.)
Gloria Jumao-as, 70, a beneficiary from Bukidnon, cited the value of land ownership for future
generations.
“Para sa akoa, importante jud para naa koy ikabilin sa akong mga anak, aron dili mag-away ang
sunod nga henerasyon,” she said.
(For me, this is important so I’ll have something to leave to my children and so that our future
generations won’t fight over the land.)
DAR also issued 930 Certificates of Condonation and Release of Mortgage to 953 beneficiaries,
condoning more than P50 million in agrarian debts under Republic Act No. 11953, or the New
Agrarian Emancipation Act.
“Ania kita karon, gihatag sa inyo dili lang titulo, dili lang CoCROM, gi-turnover nato ang mga
farm machineries and farm inputs para makatabang sa inyoha,” Sangcopan said.
(Here we are today, giving you not only a title, not just CoCROM; we have turned over farm
machinery and farm inputs to help you.)
She said the interventions aim to support farmers’ daily needs and farm operations.
“Dili lang ni mga butang, kini sila paagi aron mauswag ang kinabuhi sa atong mga mag-uuma
diri sa Northern Mindanao. Ang titulo sa yuta nga inyong nadawat karon, klaro nga inyo na jud
ang inyong yuta,” Sangcopan said.
(These are not just things; these are ways to improve the lives of our farmers here in Northern
Mindanao. The land title you have received now, it is clear that your land is now yours.)
DAR Policy, Planning and Research Office Undersecretary Lani De Leon said debt condonation
provides support beyond financial relief.
“Ang pagbubura ng utang na ito ay hindi lamang pinansyal na tulong. Ito ay makakabigay ng
pag-asa upang tayong lahat ay makabangon, lalo na sa panahon ng krisis ng ating ekonomiya,”
she said.
(Erasing these debts is not just financial assistance. It gives hope for all of us to recover,
especially in times of economic crisis.)
DAR also turned over farm machinery and equipment, including mobile rice mills, mudboats,
and knapsack sprayers, to agrarian reform beneficiary organizations to support farm production.
For Klicerio Villanueva, 75, the support provides opportunities for self-reliance.
“Kung maamo na ang property, makahimo na mi’g project. Mamahimo na kami nga
independent, dili na mi magsalig sa gobyerno,” he said.
(Once the property is truly ours, we can start projects. We can become independent and no
longer rely on the government.)
DAR said the activity forms part of efforts to support farmers through land ownership and
services that contribute to farm output, income, and community development.
“Kami nga naa sa Department of Agrarian Reform, wala mi’y tumong kun dili madugangan ang
income sa mga mag-uuma,” said DAR-10 Regional Director Zoraida Macadindang.
(We at the Department of Agrarian Reform have no other goal than to develop or increase the
household income of farmers.) (KEPE/PIA-10)