Extending CARP

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor CEDELF P. TUPAS Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Now that the curtain is about to fall on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in June 2008, some of the farmer-beneficiaries are frantic over the remaining four months in the implementation of the program.

It is said that the agrarian reform program pursues a more equitable distribution and ownership of land. By doing so, we are moving the nation to a sound rural development and industrialization, as well as the establishment of what is termed as owner-cultivator of economic-sized farms as the basis of Philippine agriculture.

Despite the polarization of the people about the program, CARP is considered unique because it is supposed to integrate both land distribution and the delivery of support services, to include agrarian justice delivery as integral components in rural development.

The bone of contention, however, is the implementation of a genuine agrarian reform in order to eradicate poverty as raised by participants at a congressional hearing in Dumaguete City yesterday. The primary reason why R.A. 6657 (otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988) was enacted was for the amelioration of the lives of the majority of Filipinos.

But, it would seem that the purpose of CARP has been waylaid, its objective deemed out of focus despite its numerous activities, however well-meaning they may be. CARP, after all, is not mere land redistribution, adequate support services are needed to help farmer beneficiaries make their lands productive.

If, through House Bill 743 (“An Act Strengthening the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program”), we wish the program to continue for another 10 years, let us hope this time its will make a real difference in the lives of its beneficiaries.*