Vol. XXII, No. 163 [ BusinessWorld Online ]
Friday, March 20, 2009 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
LEGISLATORS are scheduled to meet today in a bid to iron out a new agrarian reform law that Congress needs to pass before a six-month extension lapses in June.
The closed door dialogue between Senate and the House of Representatives contingents, in particular, is expected to tackle the thorny issue of compulsory land acquisition and distribution (LAD).
Senator Gregorio "Gringo" B. Honasan II, principal author of Senate Bill 2666 and former chairman of the chamber’s agrarian reform committee, yesterday said a new law would be prioritized when Congress resumes session on April 13.
Akbayan Rep. Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, one of the authors of the House counterpart measure, expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached.
"We will get their [senators’] commitment on restoring compulsory acquisition at the House CARP panel meeting with senators [today]. We will also ask them that we do it earlier than June," she said in a text message.
Congress is currently on a month-long Lenten break which started on March 4. Session will resume on April 13 until June 5.
Under SB 2666, a five-year program extension and funding of P147 billion were proposed to complete the distribution of at least 1.4 million hectares of land to farmer beneficiaries.
"The Senate is clear about the objectives and spirit of CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program). The farmers are the ultimate beneficiaries," Mr. Honasan told a forum, branding the proposed replacement as CARPER, or CARP extension with reforms.
Differences over the LAD led to the expiration of CARP at the end of 2008. Congress managed a workaround by approving Joint Resolution 19 extending the program for six months or until June 30, 2009 while at the same time dropping the LAD.
House Majority Leader Rep. Arthur D. Defensor, Sr. vowed to approve the new measure in June "whatever happens."
"The House has already voted to suspend LAD but we are revisiting it. We are trying to come up with an agreement but I won’t go into the specific details," he said in a telephone interview.
Press Secretary Cerge M. Remonde, in a text message, said President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo "is for CARPER," but did not elaborate. — Bernard U. Allauigan
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