Bishops want CARP extended before it expires in June, seek dialogue with PNoy

Catholic bishops are seeking a dialogue with President Benigno Aquino III to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, just months before it expires this June.

 

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines said the bishops lamented the government's so-called underperforming in land acquisition and distribution.

 

“Mr. President, we support the thinking of (the Department of Agrarian Reform) that legislation is needed to give CARP two more years to put all the pieces in place to achieve its social reform objective. These two years coincide with the remaining two years of your administration and will assure a lasting legacy of the centerpiece program of former President Corazon Aquino,” the bishops from the National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace said in their letter.

 

Because of this, they asked Aquino to extend CARP until the end of his term in 2016.

 

Excerpts of the letter were posted early Friday on the CBCP news site.

 

http://www.cbcpnews.com/cbcpnews/?p=30032

 

Citing figures from July 2010 to June 2013, the bishops said the DAR provided notices of coverage (NOC) on only 314,422 hectares of land against the original CARP balance of 1.2 million hectares.

 

This “gives us deep cause of concern whether most remaining (and most resistant) agricultural landholdings will receive NOC’s by that deadline,” they said.

 

In calling for a dialogue, the bishops said “major decisions have to be made and actions taken before the deadline on both the strategic direction of CARP and the institutional capability of the government to accomplish these strategies, as well as the commitments of your administration to the farmers.”

 

Signing the four-page letter dated Jan. 22 were Nassa chairman and Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tirona, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Palo Archbishop John Du, Tandag Bishop Nereo Odchimar, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, Cabanatuan Bishop Sofronio Bancud, Capiz Archbishop Jose Advincula, Jolo Bishop Angelito Lampon, and Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad.

 

Lawyer Christian Monsod, co-convenor of Sulong CARPER, CBCP-NASSA executive secretary Fr. Edwin Gariguez, and executive committee representative Sr. Ma. Eden Orlino also signed the letter.

 

March to Malacañang

 

Also, the bishops said farmers are planning to march to Malacañang and that a “dialogue with you would be a meaningful first step in responding to their plea for justice.”

 

They reminded Aquino the deadline for the CARP’s and acquisition and distribution is on June 30 this year, yet “the nationwide land reform effort is mired in deep uncertainty that strikes at the heart and soul of the entire program.”

 

CARP beyond 2016

 

The CBCP said the church leaders complained about the slow resolution of many land cases and want to discuss with Aquino the fate of the CARP once he steps down in 2016.

 

“Your Excellency, the farmers still recall your administration’s promise to lay the foundations for the success of CARP during your administration and, in particular, to issue all the NOCs by the end of 2013. With the June 14, 2014 deadline only five months away, it is also time to talk about the future of CARP beyond 2016,” they said.

 

Meanwhile, the Nassa reiterated its request for an overhaul of the DAR leadership because Secretary Virgilio delos Reyes “clearly does not fit the role of a transformational leader for the demanding task ahead for CARP.”

 

“There would be no stronger statement than your administration champions the cause of family farmers by sustaining the very program that would give land to the landless, and thus allow the family farm sector to flourish within our country,” they added. — ELR, GMA News