DAR to Resume E-Title Distribution Amidst Typhoon and Processing Delays

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday said it will resume distribution of electronic titles (e-Titles) to landowners on Sept. 21 after a senator flagged a slowdown in its distribution. Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan observed that, in 2025, the DAR distributed approximately 180,000 e-Titles, a document enabling landowners to secure land tenure and minimize ownership disputes. However, from January to August 2026, only 11,919 e-Titles were released. He questioned the delivery slowdown, inquiring whether it is an effort really reserved for the end of the year. DAR Undersecretary for Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Jesry T. Palmares explained that more e-Titles are ready, but distribution efforts will resume next Monday, September 21. DAR Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III also noted that continuous typhoons made distribution difficult. “We would have distributed more, your honors, but the typhoons came one after the other. We could not go out.” Mr. Estrella said. “And then, at first, there were a few delays in processes, [so] we concentrated on the [Certificate of Condonation with Release of Mortgage (COCROM)] because we were chasing the COCROM deadline.” The COCROM is a document that forgives a farmer of unpaid land debt. — Francessca S. Abalos Source: BusinessWorld Nation