By Ninfa B Quirante

Tacloban City (2 November) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), Samar bared that some 46,000 hectares involving 10,829 titled and untitled landholdings in the province can still be acquired and be distributed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) that could benefit more than 18,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Fe Malinao relayed this valuable information to a huge group of agrarian reform beneficiaries and CARP implementing agencies at the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries/People’s Organization/Cooperatives Joint Forum, held in Catbalogan, Samar recently.

She said that the figure was a result of the Inventory of (CARP) Scope (ICS) that has been one of the major focuses of DAR’s activities since early this year.

In a news report filed by PIO Teresa Tijol, she added that the data/information supporting the inventory was sourced from the Certificates of Titles and its corresponding technical description at the register of Deeds and Approved Survey Plan and Tax Declarations at the Assessor’s Office.

DAR is committed to acquire and distribute some remaining 1,400 hectares by the end of 2008, the source stressed.

Malinao said that through the conduct of the ICS, the actual remaining agricultural lands for coverage will be determined as the basis for sound policy decisions and realistic planning and budgeting for the extension of CARP beyond 2008.

Malinao added that CARP has been acknowledged as the ultimate vehicle towards total rural development. Despite its massive implementation, some identified beneficiaries are still hoping to own the land they till and live an improved life. However, she noted that the impending demise of CARP has brought hopelessness to this bunch of hardworking peasants.

They too, clamor for the continuity of the program beyond 2008. Malinao expressed optimism that should CARP continue until 2008, more rural folks will enjoy a sustainable economic growth—the very dream of rural folks!