Rushed implementation of CARP being prepared

CEBU, Philippines - Central Visayas has started preparations for the rushed implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program which is only extended until June 30 this year.

The Department of Agrarian Reform-7, the lead implementing agency of CARP, spearheaded the Regional CARP Implementing Team meeting held just recently at the DAR regional office conference room.

Representatives from different national line agencies, local government units, the police and the military who are all implementers of CARP attended the said activity.

The meeting focused on the discussion of the 2009 Operational Directives for Land Transfer Improvement of DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman which shall be the priority of DAR for the next three months.

The directives include the non-processing of the compulsory acquisition until further notice and the need to have an inventory of all “documented but not yet distributed” (DNYD) lands.

The Land Bank of the Philippines will come up with alternative documentary requirements to facilitate the documentation of DNYD lands according to DAR.

DAR-7 information officer Angelina Manubag said that LBP and DAR plan to pursue grants on higher interest increment at six percent to landowners of DNYD lands so the total compensation may approximate CARP valuation.

There will be no allocation of funds for subdivision of new lands for coverage, instead, focus will be diverted to concentrated profiling of agrarian reform beneficiaries and complete inventory of CARP scope balance project.

Not disregarding the omission in the joint resolution No. 19 of the Senate and Congress on the extension of CARP, Manubag said that DAR also anticipates the ejectment of some tenants.

With around 132 Agrarian Reform communities in the region, Manubag said that it is possible that the number of communities and beneficiaries will be reduced because the provisions of the joint resolution especially the omission of compulsory acquisition of lands invites more resistance from landowners.

During the meeting, different agencies also committed to help the implementation of CARP.

The Department of Trade and Industry said they will provide skills development training for agrarian reform beneficiaries and assist in product packaging.

The Department of Science and Technology will provide scholarship for deserving students who passed the DOST qualifying examinations while Philippine Health Insurance Corp. will provide social health insurance.

For the ARC cluster development, DAR has proposed for product development and packaging seminar for agrarian reform beneficiaries where the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as well as DOST and DTI will be tapped for assistance. – Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)