Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia Pineda, and other officials at the awarding of Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to 2,487 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from 20 localities across Pampanga province.
‘Tol’ acknowledges farmers role as nation builders
BACOLOR, Pampanga – Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino acknowledged the valuable role of farmers as nation builders.
At the same time, the senator cited the contribution of Pampanga’s farmers in turning the province into the country’s “culinary capital.”
In a speech before thousands of farmers and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from 20 localities across the province, the senator said: “Pampanga is well known for delicious dishes and its rich culinary heritage. But we know that no dish is complete without the fresh ingredients that our farmers produce.”
Tolentino is one the principal authors of Senate Bill No. 2797, which officially declares Pampanga as the country’s “culinary capital.” The measure has passed on second reading in the Upper Chamber.
Tolentino was in Bacolor Thursday morning to witness the awarding by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. of 2,939 Certificates of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM) to 2,487 Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) from the province.
The COCROMs cover 3,900 hectares of farmland and amount to P206.37 million worth of amortizations written off by the government. In addition, 30 land titles and 30 tax declarations were awarded to selected ARBs.
“The condoning of the debts on your farmland is the clearest proof that the government cares and values your role as nation builders,” said Tolentino, as he acknowledged the presence in the ceremony of members of the House of Representatives, local chief executives led by Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda, and officials of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) led by Secretary Conrado Estrella III.
The distribution of COCROMs is part of the P57.56 billion worth of debts — including interests, surcharges, and penalties owed by more than 600,000 farmers — that would be condoned through Republic Act No.11953 or the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act.
