Presentation of IRR of R.A. No. 11953 and Signing of EO Extending the Moratorium on Agrarian Debt

DAR Central Office, Quezon City
September 12, 2023
“Ito na yata ang pinakamagandang birthday gift na natanggap ko sa buong buhay ko, maraming salamat,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. quipped a day before celebrating his 66th birthday on 13 September 2023.
This statement was made following the presentation of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11953 and the signing of Executive Order (E.O.) ‘Extending the Moratorium on Payments of Amortizations on Agrarian Debt by Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries’ in a ceremony held at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Central Office in Quezon City on 12 September 2023.
During his message, the President became sentimental as he recalled his decision to appoint DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III.
“People do not quite realize what it means to me, what it means to Secretary Conrado Estrella to continue the work ng kaniyang lolo, ipagpatuloy ang trabaho ng kaniyang lolo na kasama ang aking ama na sinimulan ang Agrarian Reform Program dito sa Pilipinas… sabi ko sa kanya, marami pa tayong kailangang gawin, maraming hindi natapos, noon sa ating mga ninuno, kaya’t kailangan tayo ang magtatapos dahil binigyan tayo ng pagkakataon kaya’t dapat ito ay pakinabangan natin itong pagkakataon na ibinigay sa atin na tulungan ang ating Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries at ipagpatuloy ang agrarian reform movement dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.
Speaking before several lawmakers from the Senate and House of Representatives, DAR officials and Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), the President underscored the need for a whole-of-government approach in support of the full implementation of the landmark legislation.
“I urge the Department of Agrarian Reform with all other government agencies, to strive for a smooth and immediate execution of this IRR so that our beneficiaries may be freed from the burden of debts and reap the benefits from the lands that they tirelessly cultivate,” he said.
Signed into Law on 9 July 2023, the New Agrarian Emancipation Act (NAEA) condones all agrarian reform debt incurred by ARBs from the lands awarded to them by the government. The condonation covers an estimated 1.173 million hectares of land that will benefit an estimated 610,054 ARBs who have incurred an estimated PhP57.55 billion in unpaid amortizations.
In conjunction, President Marcos Jr. signed an Executive Order that extends the agrarian debt moratorium for another two (2) years, until 13 September 2025. This covers the principal obligation and interest of the amortization due and payable by ARBs for the lands awarded to the ARBs under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the government, which aims to benefit approximately 129,059 beneficiaries who are tilling 158,209.94 hectares of land.
“This administration reaffirms its commitment to enrich the lives of our farmers, ensure the rapid industrialization of our farmlands, and promote sustainable and inclusive growth in our countryside,” the Chief Executive said in concluding his statement.
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