MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / June 14, 2014) – The Aquino government said it will continue distributing lands to farmer-beneficiaries even if the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program ends this month.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Department of Agrarian Reform continues to issue Notices of Coverage for the land distribution.
“What is important is the issuance of Notices of Coverage for lands covered by CARP and despite the expiration on June 30 this year, land acquisition and distribution could continue,” she said.
“Medyo paspasan na talaga ang Department of Agrarian Reform dahil palapit na ang deadline. At kung mapapansin niyo sa inyong mga pahayagan ay halos araw-araw may makikita kayong napa-publish na Notice of Coverage at mahahaba ho ‘yung mga pangalan,” she added.
Valte said President Aquino has certified the CARP extension bill as urgent, but Congress failed to act on it.
Farmer groups expressed fear that the expiration of the CARP will affect land distribution in the country, especially poor farmers who rely on parcels of land they till.
Some 600 landless farmers from Negros, Batangas and Quezon provinces have marched to Manila in their bid to meet with Aquino anew.
Task Force Mapalad, the federation of landless farmers seeking the full implementation of the CARP, said the marchers will link up with another delegation of 300 farmers from Mindanao, mainly from Bukidnon, Davao and Surigao provinces in Mindanao who are demanding that 10,000 hectares owned by big landlords be covered by CARP and distributed to them.
Cagayan de Oro City Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and TFM President Alberto Jayme said direct presidential action is needed to spur the DAR to act in issuing Notices of Coverage over properties covered by the program before June 30.
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