DAR steps up CARP in Negros

Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto M. Pagdanganan has set the tone in his drive to resolve the long-standing issues affecting farmer-beneficiaries in the island provinces of Negros as he ordered their immediate installation on farmlands already awarded to them through the comprehensive agrarian reform program (CARP).

Pagdanganan said he has formed a special team headed by Undersecretary for Field Operations Rolando Mangulabnan to install farmer-beneficiaries and ensure their security from possible harassment from the camps of former landowners.

Pagdanganan said his campaign is aimed at allowing farmers to harness the lands they themselves till and give them the opportunity to increase their income and improve the quality of their life.

"I urge all landowners to join us in putting this vision into reality by supporting the distribution of lands under CARP," Pagdanganan said.

The island provinces of Negros are considered the last frontier in CARP implementation mainly because of strong resistance from landowner. So far, Negros Occidental has distributed 118,177 out of its total scope of 272, 256 hectares (43 percent), while Negros Oriental has given away 70,334 of 118,934 hectares (59 percent).