By Katherine Adraneda Updated December 05, 2008 12:00 AM
[ philstar.com ]
Farmers from Camarines Sur stage a rally in Morayta, Manila to push for the CARP extension. Jonjon Vicencio
Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman is optimistic that Congress would pass a bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) before it goes on recess next week.
“I’m not so worried about it because agrarian reform is a constitutional mandate… it is a continuing mandate,” he said.
However, Congress is likely to only grant a five-year extension of the CARP, he added.
Pangandaman said the government must acquire more or less one million hectares more of agricultural lands nationwide and distribute them to qualified farmer-beneficiaries.
“Our major push (is) on the land acquisition and distribution (LAD) component of the CARP since it is considered the heart and soul of the program, and the bottom line of course is the funding for the project.”
Pangandaman said even if Congress only grants a five-year extension, the government could still distribute agricultural lands to landless farmers, as long as the funding is continued.
“If we are given only five years, we are still confident that we can make it,” he said.
“We can adjust our yearly targets to be able to cover the more or less one million hectares. We can work double time to finish it in five years.”
Pangandaman said a five-year extension of CARP would cover so-called priority areas – properties whose owners strongly oppose CARP – especially in Negros island and Southern Luzon.
The DAR is awaiting the passage of a law extending the CARP to disseminate the notices of coverage for different agricultural properties across the country, he added.
On Wednesday, farmers from various provinces in Southern Luzon, Bicol, and Central Luzon assembled in front of the DAR along Elliptical Road in Quezon City before marching towards the House of Representatives to press for the immediate passage of the CARP extension law.
Failure of Congress to pass the CARP extension law by Dec. 31 could mean an end to government’s acquisition of vast agricultural lands for distribution to landless farmers nationwide.
