Nograles to call for more sessions to fasttrack CARP extension bill

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Prospero Nograles will call for additional sessions and nominal voting to speed up approval of a bill seeking a five-year extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) before Congress adjourns on June 11.

“However, we have a big problem in the House of Representatives today... There is a very, very big debate on whether to just extend the CARP,” he said.

At Malacañang, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said President Arroyo could call for a special session of Congress to fast-track the passage of the bill.

“If needed, why not?” he said.

Mrs. Arroyo has certified the CARP extension bill as urgent, but Congress is set to adjourn next week.

Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. assured that funds are available for the five-year extension of CARP.

Nograles said lawmakers are in a bind on whether to extend the CARP despite noted defects or pass a ìrenewedî bill incorporating safety nets and reforms.

“It is controversial because mere extension of the CARP without reforms or improvements is like extending the errors that were done before,” he said.

Speaking at the 7th Agraryo Trade Fair at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong, Nograles said the CARP is important in resolving social unrest in the country.

“It is our commitment, we are committed to do that. But I can only assure 50 percent, because the other 50 percent would have to come from the Senate,” he said.

Nograles said the problem lies in the need to incorporate all suggested reforms into the CARP amid time constraints.

Congress only has three more session days since June 9 was declared a holiday by Malacañang, he added.

Nograles said aside from safety nets, lawmakers also want to “fine-tune the details” in the bill.

Corporate farming must be inserted in the measure to “partially solve the problem on food production,” he added.

On the other hand, Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman  expressed optimism that the CARP would be extended.

The CARP is “generally successful” despite some problems it encountered during its implementation, he added. — Katherine Adraneda, Marvin Sy