ULAP asks Congress to extend CARP beyond 2008
Tagbilaran City (7 October) -- WANTING to sustain the momentum of agricultural activity that has begun to alter the socio-economic landscape in the country sides, the strong Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) is urgently asking Congress to adopt legislation extending and strengthening the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beyond 2008.
ULAP Chairman and Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado along with Executive Vice President Ramon Guico Jr. signed to that effect a resolution no. 2006-038 during the 4th ULAP general assembly in Manila.
The petition to urge Congress to adopt a pro-CARP extension legislation came while Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) authorities under Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, are still immersed in feverish land acquisition and distribution programs to solidly anchor the government’s poverty reduction initiatives. This also came amidst the timetable that the full CARP implementation needs to go until 2008.
By CARP, DAR has said that the government’s dream of reducing poverty gains a critical foothold through CARP generated livelihood activities, employment as well as cemented local economy.
According to the ULAP resolution signed September 25 during the ULAP general Assembly, the move extending CARP to 2008 ensures fair resolution of agrarian cases, maximizes sustainable agriculture and rural enterprise development, promotes social infrastructure and local capability building initiatives.
It may be recalled that the Philippines pitched into institutionalized CARP when it constitutionally inserted the move in the 1987 constitution. Likewise, it further bolstered the government initiative with the CARP law of 1988 and Republic Act 8532, which further strengthened the government’s leading program for social justice.
Since then, CARP has sought to uphold social justice for the rural poor by improving their socio-economic conditions while tilling rural areas for sustainable agricultural development.
This it does by ensuring land tenure securities for the landless farm workers while promoting agrarian justice.
Through CARP, the government hoped to increase productivity, which would suspend farmers into a place where they would merit the claim as the backbones of the country’s economy.
As this developed, Gov. Aumentado, who consequently heads the League of Provinces of the Philippines has also shared that he would goad the league to do a similar move so provinces may also benefit from an extended and strengthened CARP. (PIA) [top]
