5-year CARP extension ok’d
BY HOUSE COMMITTEE,
BUT MORE DELIBERATIONS SET
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The House Committee on Agrarian Reform yesterday approved a consolidated bill extending the life of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program for another five years, but further deliberations will have to be conducted before it becomes final, Negros solons said yesterday.

Sixteen committee members voted for the approval of the consolidation of 13 bills, while three objected, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District) said.

The consolidated bill provides for P100 billion to fund the program for the next five years.

It seemed like a collective call to counter the current political, economic, and cultural conflicts in the country and around the world.

This was the perception when all the 24 ladies vying for this year's Lin-ay sang Negros crown yesterday advocated for personal knowledge and change as a jumpstart for social transformation, unity, and peace.

Kristine Alonso, MassKara Queen 2007 first runner-up, said, “You need to look at the core of ourselves first before you look at the core of others as this will lead to unity and harmony.”

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday instructed Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards to work overtime to reach  decisions on the new wage levels in their respective areas.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the President issued her directive to Labor Secretary Marianito Roque telling him to ensure that the RTWPBs get cracking on the wage issue “even if it means they have to work on May 1, a non-working day for the rest of the country.”

Western Visayas Labor Regional Director Aida Estabillo said she is joining a meeting in Manila today on how to tackle petitions for wage increases pending before wage boards.