The National Federation of Sugar Workers, Kilusan ng Mambubukid ng Pilipinas, Karapatan-Negros, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros called yesterday for the abolition of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The groups said in a press conference that the existing land reform program of the government is insubstantial and worthless, and has failed to address the real problem of farmers in the countryside.

Isidro Castillo of NFSW said that instead of empowering the landless peasants, CARP catered to the whims of powerful landlords, resulting in an inutile program.

Instead of extending CARP after it expires in June this year, the government should scrap it and replace the program with a genuine land reform initiative, he said.

The groups and the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura are pushing for the enactment of House Bill No. 3059, or the proposed Genuine Agrarian Reform Act of 2007.

Filed by party-list groups representatives Anakpawis, Bayan Muna and Gabriela, HB 3059 calls for free land distribution and expansion of agrarian reform coverage to all agricultural lands in the country.

The groups said they will stage a two-day picket at the DAR office in Negros Occidental on Feb. 12-13, and will hold a provincewide caravan to express their sentiments against the extension of CARP.*NAB

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