Bishops ask Noy to extend CARPER until 2016

MANILA, Philippines - Catholic bishops have asked President Aquino to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) until the end of his term in 2016.

CARPER is due to expire on June 30.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, national director of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace (CBCP-NASSA), said they sent a letter to Aquino last Jan. 27 appealing for a two-year extension of CARPER.

“Mr. President, we support the thinking of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) that legislation is needed to give CARP two more years to put all the pieces in place to achieve its social reform objective,” read the letter.

“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 C. Aquino,” it added. 

Aside from Pabillo, the four-page letter was also signed by Archbishop of Caceres, Camarines Sur Rolando Tria Tirona, CBCP-NASSA board chairman; Archbishop of Palo, Leyte John Du, board treasurer; and members Bishop of Tandag, Surigao del Sur Nereo Odchimar, Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro Antonio Ledesma, Bishop of Cabanatuan Sofronio Bancud, Archbishop of Capiz Jose Advincula, Bishop of Jolo Angelito Lampon, and Bishop of Basilan 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 were the other signatories.

NASSA requested to have a dialogue with Aquino, saying it believes that major decisions have to be made and action 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 administration’s commitments to the farmers.

“The nationwide land reform effort is mired in deep uncertainty that strikes at the heart and soul of the entire program,” the CBCP said.

NASSA cited four proposed strategic directions that are geared toward real social reform: granting of additional time to complete the issuance of notices of coverage (NOCs) before June 30 this year; and the creation of an independent commission with ample powers to review and audit the performance and accomplishments of CARP pursuant to the constitutional mandate that it should cover all agricultural lands.

NASSA also urged that all unpaid amortizations of farmers be condoned and all future distributions be free; and that the government undertake a massive program of institution-building and funding support for agricultural development and agrarian reform.

NASSA also wishes to discuss the fate of the CARP once Aquino 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,” read the letter.

NASSA reiterated its request for an overhaul of the Department of Agrarian Reform, alleging that Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes “clearly does not fit the role of a transformational leader for the demanding task ahead for CARP.”

“There would be no stronger statement that 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,” read the letter.