Farmers, advocates seek CARP extension

Some 3,000 farmers and agrarian reform advocates in the region have called on Congress to pass the law that will extend the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

At a public hearing chaired by Association of Philippine Electric Cooperative partylist Rep. Edgar Valdez - the second of the three hearings set by Congress to determine the pulse of the people in the provinces - the farmers called for the extension of the implementation of CARP to alleviate poverty in rural communities.

They have signed a manifesto of support and submitted it to the Congress.

House committee on agrarian reform chairman Elias Bulut earlier welcomed the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines’ endorsement of its support to continue the program that seeks to alleviate poverty in rural communities.

The committee decided to hold local consultations to know how it could properly act on the seven bills pending in the committee for deliberation.

Sister Florita Taylaran, represents Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, who strongly advocates for the extension of the CARP.

Valdez, who was overwhelmed by the support shown by the farmers, said he hopes Congress would pass the law before the program expires in June.

“Napakagandang programa ang CARP. But this time, we need to address the program’s deficiencies in order to plug all the leaks. We want to become part of this legislation which is really for the people. This is what we want to do in the 14th Congress,” he said.

The other lawmakers who attended the hearing were Rep. Pablo Garcia of the 2nd district of Cebu, Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of the 1st district of Negros Oriental, Rep. Crispin Beltran of Anak Pawis, Rep. Belma Cabilao of the 1st district of Zamboanga Sibugay, and Rep. George Arnaiz of the 2nd district of Negros Oriental.

The legislators pushed for the new law to provide all the support services needed by the farmers —Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV