MANILA — The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has distributed more than 460,000 land titles covering 648,166 hectares to over 432,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from July 2022 to October 2026, while condoning ₱54.7 billion in farmers’ outstanding agrarian debts, according to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The land distribution program aims to provide farmers with legal ownership of agricultural lands they have cultivated, some of whom have waited 15 to 30 years to receive their Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOAs).

The documents serve as legal proof of ownership under the government’s agrarian reform program, giving beneficiaries greater security and opportunities to access agricultural loans and other financial assistance.

Based on DAR’s Land Titles Cumulative Distribution Accomplishment under its Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling (Project SPLIT) and Land Acquisition and Distribution (LAD) programs as of Oct. 31, 2026, a total of 460,307 land titles covering 648,166 hectares had been awarded to 432,842 beneficiaries.

Project SPLIT, one of DAR’s flagship initiatives, seeks to divide collective land titles into individual electronic titles to establish individual ownership among agrarian reform beneficiaries.

The agency recorded the distribution of 21,876 titles covering 25,159 hectares to 24,804 beneficiaries from July to December 2022.

In 2023, another 69,897 titles covering 84,043 hectares were distributed to 73,399 beneficiaries, followed by 102,536 titles covering 120,772 hectares for 88,310 beneficiaries in 2024.

The highest annual distribution was recorded in 2025, when 199,838 titles covering 302,540 hectares were awarded to 176,202 beneficiaries.

From January to Oct. 31, 2026, DAR distributed another 66,160 titles covering 115,652 hectares to 70,127 beneficiaries.

Negros Island Region leads distribution

The Negros Island Region (NIR) recorded the highest number of land titles distributed, with 25,048 documents awarded to 18,839 beneficiaries covering 12,720 hectares.

Data from the Bureau of Land Acquisition and Distribution (BLAD), an attached agency of DAR, showed that SOCCSKSARGEN or Region 12 followed with 8,550 titles benefiting 12,398 farmers across 14,803 hectares.

Northern Mindanao or Region 10 ranked third, with 7,516 titles distributed to 10,400 beneficiaries covering 8,860 hectares.

Other regions also received land titles under the program, including the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), with 2,584 titles for 2,206 beneficiaries covering 1,166 hectares.

The Ilocos Region recorded 970 titles for 889 beneficiaries covering 491 hectares, while Cagayan Valley received 2,802 titles benefiting 2,622 farmers across 3,974 hectares.

Central Luzon accounted for 7,154 titles distributed to 6,009 beneficiaries covering 5,401 hectares. Calabarzon recorded 3,506 titles for 3,422 beneficiaries across 3,180 hectares, while Mimaropa received 2,197 titles benefiting 4,445 farmers covering 8,042 hectares.

In the Bicol Region, 5,878 titles were distributed to 5,919 beneficiaries covering 9,075 hectares.

Meanwhile, Western Visayas recorded 5,978 titles for 5,733 beneficiaries across 5,576 hectares; Central Visayas, 3,731 titles for 4,022 beneficiaries covering 3,515 hectares; and Eastern Visayas, 3,507 titles for 2,461 beneficiaries across 3,364 hectares.

The Zamboanga Peninsula received 3,674 titles benefiting 3,585 farmers covering 5,308 hectares, while the Davao Region recorded 1,238 titles for 1,314 beneficiaries across 1,348 hectares.

Caraga, meanwhile, received 3,125 titles benefiting 3,196 agrarian reform beneficiaries covering 4,293 hectares.

The government said the distribution is intended to give farmers greater control over their agricultural properties and allow them to make long-term plans for their livelihoods and families.

₱54.7 billion in agrarian debts condoned

Apart from land ownership, the government has also moved to ease the financial obligations of agrarian reform beneficiaries through the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, or Republic Act No. 11953.

The law provides for the condonation of qualified beneficiaries’ outstanding agrarian debts, including accumulated interest and penalties.

As of Oct. 27, 2026, DAR had distributed 703,047 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROMs), covering 901,246 hectares of agricultural land.

The total amount of condoned obligations reached ₱54.70 billion, allowing beneficiaries to redirect their resources toward farm improvements, agricultural production and household needs.

DAR distributed 230,372 COCROMs in 2024, covering 252,940 hectares and representing ₱10.86 billion in condoned debts.

In 2025, the agency issued 252,953 certificates covering 290,088 hectares, with ₱35.69 billion in obligations written off.

From January to Oct. 27, 2026, another 219,722 COCROMs covering 358,218 hectares were recorded, representing ₱8.15 billion in condoned debts.

The department also reported that ₱3.06 billion remained for distribution in 2026, covering 283,387 hectares, out of the total ₱57.76-billion coverage under RA 11953.

Marcos urges farmers to maximize awarded lands

Marcos has called on agrarian reform beneficiaries to make productive use of their awarded properties, emphasizing that responsible land ownership can improve family welfare and contribute to community development.

During the awarding of land patents and titles alongside the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) at the “Handog ng Pangulo: Financial Assistance to Farm Laborers and Distribution of Titles” event at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando City, Pampanga, the President thanked farmers and agricultural workers for their contributions.

“Nais kong iparating ang taos-puso kong pasasalamat sa inyong lahat—sa ating mga magsasaka at manggagawa na patuloy na nagsusumikap para sa isang masaganang bukas,” Marcos said.

He also assured agricultural workers that the government would continue extending financial assistance, equipment and supplies to help address their needs.

“Sa araw-araw ninyong hirap at pagod sa pagsasaka, pagtatrabaho, at pagtataguyod sa inyong mga pamilya, nandito ang gobyerno para suportahan at alalayan kayo,” the President said.

Marcos further urged beneficiaries to maximize their awarded properties for the benefit of their households, communities and the country.

“Gawin ninyong produktibo ang inyong lupain. Gamitin ito nang tama para sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino, para sa ating mga komunidad, at para sa kinabukasan ng ating minamahal na Pilipinas. Ang responsableng paggamit ng lupa ay magbubunga ng masaganang pamumuhay para sa ating lahat,” he said.

The administration’s land distribution and debt-condonation initiatives are intended to address longstanding concerns among agrarian reform beneficiaries by securing their ownership rights and easing financial burdens, allowing them to focus on improving farm productivity and providing for their families.