THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said it expects to complete the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the New Agrarian Emancipation Act by Sept. 7.
In a statement, the DAR said that it has concluded consultations with agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) and farmers’ groups in the process of putting together the IRR draft.
The IRR will address matters like the process of obtaining condonation and the compensation for landowners.
Republic Act No. 11953, signed in July, provides for the condonation of loans, interest, penalties, and surcharges incurred by ARBs.
The debt to be forgiven is projected at about P57.57 billion, covering 610,054 beneficiaries holding 1.17 million hectares.
The law also terminates payments to landlords who are part of a voluntary land transfer and direct payment scheme, benefiting 10,201 ARBs tilling 11,531.24 hectares.
“The summary of discussions (from the consultations) will be submitted to the IRR drafting committee for inclusion in the draft IRR which will be finalized during the full committee meeting on Sept. 7,” it said.
The DAR Technical Working Group’s deadline for submitting the draft to the Office of the President is Sept. 22. — Adrian H. Halili
