MANILA - The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill condoning unpaid interests, penalties and surcharges on loans obtained by farmers, fisherfolk and agrarian reform beneficiaries from government agencies. House Bill 5702, or the "Agrarian and Agricultural Loan Restructuring and Condonation Act" was passed with 271 votes, no negative votes and no abstentions. The bill mandates the one-time condonation of unpaid interests, penalties and surcharges of agricultural and agrarian loans secured by farmers, fisherfolk and agrarian reform beneficiaries from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Department of Agriculture (DA), People's Credit and Finance Corporation (PCFC), Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), National Food Authority (NFA), and the Quedan and Rural Credit Guarantee Corporation (QUEDANCOR) prior to the effectivity of the measure. Also covered are cooperatives registered with the CDA, and farmers' and agrarian refor