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Bill extending land reform may not beat law’s expiry

Vol. XXI, No. 215 [ Business World Online ]
Tuesday, June 3, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES

EXTENSION of the 20-year old Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) still hangs and Congress may not meet the deadline, as the program expires this June 15, two key senators said yesterday.

Mr. Honasan, chairman of the committee on agrarian reform, said his committee is still awaiting documents from the Department of Agrarian Reform that will show an inventory of lands to be affected by the extension, a list of intended beneficiaries and impact assessment. "Until we receive all the information, we cannot submit the committee report. It may be difficult to pass it before the end of the session," he said.

The CARP is set to expire on June 15, while the 14th Congress is set to adjourn its first regular session this June 11.

He said they intend to extend the program from three to seven years, and allocate P60 billion-P200 billion for land acquisition and distribution and support services. Funds will come from receipts from the sale of state assets, as well as of ill-gotten wealth recovered by the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan said in an interview that the design of the law’s extension should not be sacrificed just for the sake of beating the June 15 expiration. "If we go the same route in terms of its implementation, then the extension would not be effective. The key is support services for strengthening farmers’ organizations, providing access to credit, capability-building and improving post-harvest facilities," he said.

Approval on second reading of House Bill 4077, which had been approved at the committee level, is part of the target of the House of Representatives this week. — Bernard U. Allauigan

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