Farmers appeal for passage of CARPER

DAR- Agusan del Norte - Civil Society and farmer groups held street demonstrations to urge the government to immediately pass into law the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER). They held a rally to voice their desire and support for House Bill 4077 last January 30, 2009 in Butuan City.

The demonstration started at the Agrarian Reform Information and Marketing Center at exactly 8:30 am passing through Capitol Compound all the way to Montilla Boulevard and ended at Rizal Park for a short rally. Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries have spoken on the benefits derived from the services provided by the CARP.

More than 1,200 farmers from different Agrarian Reform Communities (ARCs) in Agusan del Norte, NGOs, FEDARCCO members, PO leaders, Youth and Government agencies participated in the rally with placards to voice out their clamor and anger at the present landlord dominated Congress.

The Joint Resolution passed by Congress extending the implementation of the said program for a period of six (6) months is set to expire on June 30, 2009. While CARP continues, the implementation compulsory acquisition aspect of the program was suspended for the period of 6 months.

Farmers in Agusan del Norte expressed their collective sentiments to stop Congress from emasculating CARP and demanded that the compulsory acquisition mode of acquiring lands be continued.

"Without CA, many beneficiaries who desire to own a land will not have a chance because no landowner will volunteer," said FEDARCCO Chairman Isidro Madaje. " This historic rally is just the beginning of a series of activities to press for CARP extension with reforms", he further stated.

Last November 21, 2008, some farmer leaders and civil society groups converged to solicit the commitment of legislators of the First and Second District of Agusan del Norte. They visited the homes and offices of Cong. Joboy Aquino and Cong. Edelmiro Amante to enlist their support for the extension of the program and to expedite the passage of House Bill 4077.

After the rally, a Press conference was also held by representatives of the Farmers, FEDARCCO Officials and PO leaders before the local tri-media group.