Completion of CARP in CL set for 2004

CABIAO, Nueva Ecija — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) will fully accomplish its targets under the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in Central Luzon by 2004.

Linda Hermogino, DAR assistant regional director for Central Luzon, told The STAR that the CARP is now 94 percent complete in the region and that their office expects to get the job done in three more years.

Hermogino said that the DAR has distributed 340,000 hectares covered by CARP in the region, benefitting a total of 325,000 farmers. The lands include rice and corn under PD 27.

She said that last year, they posted a 106-percent accomplishment rate, the second time it has exceeded its accomplishment in as many years. The regional office also posted a 107-percent accomplishment rate in 1999.

These accomplishments were in the field of land tenure improvement, program beneficiaries development and legal assistance.

Hermogino was here to preside over the groundbreaking ceremonies for a P12-million, 3.08-kilometer long Asian Development-funded farm-to-market road in barangays Sta. Isabel and Bagong Sikat.

The groundbreaking rites were also graced by Gov. Tomas Joson III, Cabiao Mayor Gloria Congco and Edgardo Grafilo, area manager for Luzon of ADB.

The rites were also highlighted by the distribution of 70 emancipation patents and certificates of land ownership awards (CLOAs) to farmer beneficiaries in the towns of Jaen, Laur, Gapan, Bongabon, Gabaldon, Gen. Natividad, Cabiao and Cabanatuan City.

Congco said the road project, which covers phase 1 of a P60-million project package for this town, is located in an agrarian reform community.