A Provincial Agrarian Reform Assessment and Planning Workshop for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program beyond 2008 was held by the Department of Agrarian Reform-Oriental Negros at the Maria Luisa Suites Inn, Dumaguete City, recently.

The theme of the workshop was "Agrarian Reform for Broad-Based Rural Growth: Sustaining and Enhancing CARP Gains Beyond 2008." It implements the order of DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman to prepare personnel and other stakeholders for advocacy regarding CARP beyond 2008, and develop or update the Provincial Agrarian Reform Development Plan.

Discussions focused on the framework paper containing the approval by DAR Executive Committee; builds on public report to lay down a medium-term framework for policy and action; emphasizes "LTI acceleration" and "CARP recalibration;" key in LTI: priority to landholdings being followed up by civil society organizations; key in agrarian justice: improvement of systems; key in program beneficiaries development: ARC connectivity on consultancy relations strengthening; and energizing and managing the bureaucracy.

Former DAR Undersecretary Gerry Bulatao, now a consultant of the Alliance for Rural Concerns, an accredited party list organization, and an advocacy network on agrarian reform and rural development, was present, together with Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Grace Fua; Assistant Regional Director for Operations Eliasem Castillo; CARPO for Operations Regional Office Isagani Yee; CARPO for BDCD Dr. Antonio Del Socorro; OIC PARO Pacifico Quindo, Jr.; representatives from the City of Bayawan and the religious sector; various non-government organizations allied with DAR; and delegates from people's organizations and DAR provincial staff.*RG

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