DAR links up with PCA to fast-track CARP in coconut lands

The Department of Agrarian Reform has forged partnerships with the Philippine Coconut Authority and the Liga Magniniyog, a conference of farmers’ organizations, to fast track the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program in coconut lands, it was learned yesterday.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza said his Department signed a memorandum of understanding with PCA and Liga Magniniyog to expedite the distribution under CARP of about 700,000 hectares of coconut lands all over the country.

Braganza noted that the three parties also agreed to work together to implement leasehold in coconut lands and help resolve agrarian reform conflicts that threaten to reverse previous gains in land distribution.

Under the leasehold program, the tenants are given tenurial security over the land and guaranteed a 75-percent share of the crop harvest.

Bragana admitted that the lack of control and ownership of coconut lands has resulted to the continuing poverty of the small landless coconut farmers, tenants and farm workers.

"That is why under the Kabayanihan program of DAR, we are forging partnerships with other agencies and organizations such as PCA and Liga Magniniyog in order to fast-track the land-to-the-tiller component of CARP," Braganza said.

Under the MOU, the Liga Magniniyog has been tapped to help DAR identify landholdings that should be targeted for distribution or leasehold coverage. The two parties also agreed to work together in ensuring the installation of agrarian reform beneficiaries in landholdings that would be covered by CARP.

The DAR and the PCA, on the other hand, agreed to facilitate the immediate implementation of a coherent support services program needed to develop the coconut lands given to farmer-beneficiaries and leaseholders.

Braganza noted that DAR would secure the cooperation of local police units to "avert or neutralize" armed resistance by landowners during and after distribution of the coconut lands to CARP beneficiaries.