A total of 7,225 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) in Mindanao received the 鈥渂est Aguinaldo鈥� (Christmas gift) from the Marcos administration through the condonation of P289 million in farmers鈥� debts under Republic Act (RA) No. 11953, or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act.
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan Del Sur 鈥� Over 7,000 farmers in Mindanao received the 鈥渂est Aguinaldo鈥� (Christmas gift) from the Marcos administration with the condonation of P289 million in unpaid debts tied to their farmlands.
Thus said Senator Francis Tolentino, who led the distribution of 8,722 loan condonation certificates to 7,225 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the provinces of Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur on Monday.
鈥淚 am honored to be part of this ceremony, which fulfills the government鈥檚 promise to empower our farmers by writing off the loans linked to their farmlands that have hindered their growth and productivity,鈥� Tolentino stressed.
The senator said he was also honored to have helped craft Republic Act (RA) No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act, the landmark measure signed by President Ferdinand 鈥楤ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. in 2023.
In his speech at the ceremony held in Agusan del Sur, Senator Francis TOL Tolentino asked the farmers to use the gifts properly, which he said embodied the government鈥檚 plans for them, as well as their own dreams for their families
鈥淧lease use this gift to fulfill your plans for your children, your grandchildren, and your community,鈥� the senator said in his speech at the ceremony held at the Agusan del Sur provincial capitol complex.
Accompanied by Governor Santiago Cane Jr. and Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Undersecretary Amihilda Sangcopan, Tolentino handed 8,722 Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage or CoCROMS covering 12,227 hectares of agricultural lands and P289 million worth of ARBs鈥� loans.
鈥淎s Governor Cane also reminded you, please use this gift properly. Don鈥檛 sell, pawn, or gamble these off, for these documents embody not just the government鈥檚 plans for you, but also your hopes and dreams for your family,鈥� he concluded. 
