The House Committee on Appropriations, chaired by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, terminated on Thursday the deliberation on the proposed 2025 budget of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) totaling P11.101 billion.
Committee senior vice chairperson and Marikina City Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo acknowledged that DAR's financial support mechanisms, such as the allocation of billions in loans, grants and insurance programs, demonstrates the administration's commitment to rural development.
She also commended Republic Act (RA) 11953 or the "New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act," and the extension of the payment moratorium for agrarian reform beneficiaries as significant steps towards easing the burdens on Filipino farmers.
Quimbo then highlighted in her statement, the establishment of condonation response and action desks across the nation, aimed at validating the eligibility of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) for relief.
However, she cautioned against these desks becoming mere bureaucratic formalities.
"We must assess whether they are truly dismantling the systemic barriers that keep our farmers in cycles of debt," Quimbo remarked.
DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III reaffirmed the agency's commitment to its three program pillars -- land distribution and tenurial security, agrarian justice delivery and support services delivery.
He reported the department's intensified efforts in these areas, which are crucial to uplifting the lives of Filipino farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).
For fiscal year 2024, DAR was allocated a budget of P8.579 billion, which has already facilitated significant achievements.
As of July 2024, DAR distributed 44,341 land titles and condoned P57.557 billion worth of debts under RA 11953. Furthermore, the department resolved 116,718 agrarian cases from July 2022 to July 2024, achieving an impressive 92.2 percent resolution rate.
DAR was also able to establish 26 farm-to-market roads (FMRs) with a total cost of P484.5 million, and enhanced the access to markets for rural farmers.
Estrella also noted that 5,931 ARB organizations have benefited from the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program trainings. These initiatives are aimed at equipping farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge to maximize their agricultural productivity.
Moreover, ARBs gained access to P875.58 million in credit and microfinance services as of June 2024, further empowering them to invest in new technologies and recover from losses.
Looking ahead, Estrella emphasized the need to sustain the momentum of these programs.
He outlined plans to complete the distribution of condonation certificates and accelerate the implementation of Executive Order 75, series of 2019, which includes land grants for retired soldiers, policemen, rebel returnees and agricultural graduates.
Lastly, the department is also focusing on the comprehensive digitalization of land distribution processes to ensure efficiency and transparency.
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