Noy urged to extend land distribution

MANILA, Philippines - Around 300 farmers and allied groups yesterday staged a protest action in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) main office in Quezon City urging President Aquino to fulfill his promise to redistribute all lands covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

They asked the government to extend the land distribution component of CARP beyond its June 30 deadline either through legislation such as House Bill 4592 or the release of an executive order by the President.

The groups, commemorating the anniversary of CARP this month, also questioned DAR’s performance.

“Land distribution under the Aquino administration has been implemented at a snail pace and marked by consistent failure to meet annual distribution targets, underperformance and lack of political commitment manifested by the present DAR administration,” said Jansept Geronimo of the Kilusang Magsasaka ng Bondoc Peninsula.

“DAR should publicly disclose the true, complete and detailed status of the implementation of CARP, including all stages of the land transfer component, provision of support services and financial transactions,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Aquino is determined to fully implement CARP by distributing lands to farmers before his term ends in 2016, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said.

Aquino on Tuesday met with leaders of stakeholder groups and agrarian reform advocates.

The government has assured farmers that DAR will issue notices of coverage on or before the June 30 deadline. – Rhodina Villanueva, Delon Porcalla