The New Agrarian Emancipation Act
by AB&B on June 4, 2024
President Bongbong Marcos Gives Free Land to the Landless under the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, distributes 32,441 e-TITLES to ARBs.
After 50 years of agrarian reform in the Philippines, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. has taken a historic step by signing the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (R.A. No. 11953). This landmark law forgives over PHP 57 billion in unpaid debts for 610,054 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), covering 1,173,101.57 hectares of land.
The signing ceremony, held at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace, was attended by key cabinet members, senators, congressmen, and 200 ARBs from Regions III and IV-A. Representatives from the World Bank and Land Bank of the Philippines also expressed their support for the act, emphasizing its role in promoting social justice and economic development.
The New Agrarian Emancipation Act cancels all outstanding loans, interests, penalties, and surcharges for ARBs. This move will relieve them of their financial burdens and allow them to own their lands without any further payments. The government, through the Land Bank of the Philippines, will cover these costs, ensuring that previously repossessed lands due to non-payment are returned to the beneficiaries and pending cases are dismissed.
The law also amends previous agrarian reform laws (R.A. 6657 and R.A. 9700), ending compensation requirements from ARBs to landowners. Additionally, it exempts awarded lands from estate taxes and encourages local governments to grant tax amnesty on real property and transfer taxes.
To support the ARBs, the Department of Agrarian Reform will provide Certificates of Condonation, and a broad range of support services will be extended to enhance agricultural productivity, enterprise development, and financial literacy. ARBs who have completed their payments will receive priority for credit facilities and additional support services.
President Marcos emphasized the importance of revitalizing the agricultural sector by training a new generation of farmers to drive sustainable rural development. He assured continued government support to help farmers increase productivity and improve their quality of life.
This new law marks a significant milestone in the Philippines’ agrarian reform history, promising positive impacts on the lives of farmers across the country.
