The agrarian reform program is not killing the country’s agricultural sector, refuted a member of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, on accusations that the CARP does not improve the farmers’ lot.

PARC member Jimmy Tadeo made the statement as agrarian reform beneficiaries from three regions signed a manifesto for the extension of CARP to another 10 years, during a public hearing in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, recently.

Tadeo said the real reason for the perceived failure of the CARP is the lack of support services from the government such as irrigation, farm-to-market roads, and corruption in government.

Admitting that they don’t have the numbers in Congress for the extension of the CARP, Tadeo said they expect farmers from all over the country to march to Congress to demand for its extension before it expires on June 30 this year.

Tadeo said he does not discount the possibility of a farm strike, where farmers will stop producing unless their demands are met.

Meanwhile, Agrarian Reform Assistant Secretary Dominador Andres called on CARP beneficiaries in Negros Occidental not to blame the Arroyo family, in their struggle for ownership over the land they are tilling.

Andres made the remark in answer to claims of Task Force Mapalad members that the Arroyo family in Negros Occidental is the number one evaders of the CARP law.

Andres assured that his office is processing the farmers’ claims.*JG

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