Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has called for additional funding for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the 2026 national budget, citing its strong performance in land distribution and farmer support programs.
“I would like to move, Mr. Chairman, that we approve on the committee level the budget of the Agrarian Reform with additional funding, paglabas na po sa plenaryo,” Zubiri said during the Senate finance committee hearing led by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
The senator expressed full confidence in DAR Secretary Conrado Estrella III, saying the agency has earned the trust of farmers.
“In a time when there are so much distrust, animosity and anger of the people, I believe that with the Department of Agrarian Reform, wala pong ganyan. The people are very happy with their performance,” he said.
From July 2022 to August 2025, DAR distributed over 242,000 land titles covering 305,000 hectares, benefiting 232,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries. It also released 401,001 Certificates of Condonation, writing off ₱41 billion in farmer debts.
DAR completed 213 irrigation projects and 344 farm-to-market roads, improving access to markets and increasing farmer incomes. A COA survey in Bukidnon showed that 93.65% of farmers reported better market access and higher revenues because of DAR projects.
While DAR sought P28 billion for 2026, the Department of Budget and Management approved only P17 billion, affecting programs like the land parcelization project that provides individual land titles.
Zubiri said additional funds are crucial to sustain progress, especially in provinces like Bukidnon where many farmers are still waiting for individual titles.
“Kaya money well spent ito… Dagdagan natin ang pondo ng DAR kung pwede,” he added.IMT
