For almost twenty years now, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) of the Department of Agrarian Reform has been the partner for progress in its rural development especially to its farmers-beneficiaries.

The Provincial DAR Office of Zamboanga del Sur under PARO II Atty. Glenn Sabijon is now worried about its implementation after the year 2008. 

It may be recalled that the said program started in 1998 under R.A. 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, (CARL) with its ten years program up to 1998, and with the extension provided in R.A. 8532 during the term of then President Fidel Valdez Ramos, CARP implementation was extended for another ten years up to 2008.

 In an interview with PARO II Sabijon, he said that his department is now worried after 2008 what will happen with the program especially in its social services implementation when CARP will not be extended anymore. “this is one of our apprehension, because with extension provided in R.A. 8532 this will end in June 2008, the worst scenario is that, employees of DAR, projects and its implementation, the ARC benefits, and other social services implementations will be stop because of the law  it self .” he said

 For example the salaries of the employees, there will be no more law that will expire, so they will be no more funds, however, the office will remain, but who will man this office? He further said.

 In Zamboanga Del Sur alone, more or less 15 to 16 thousand hectares of land will still be distributed to farmer beneficiaries, to do so another extension is needed to implement this program of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform.

 “As of this time there are pending projects to be implemented, the ADB funded projects for the 15 Agrarian Reform Communities under the Zamboanga del Sur, millions of pesos, 300 to 400 millions funds is now pending because with the ADB program for 5 years starting 2007, the Asian Development Bank is apprehensive to implement this because they know that R.A. 8532 will expire after its first year implementation.” PARO II Sabijon adds.

 Meanwhile, with its 19th CARP Anniversary activities such as: hanging of streamers at strategic places and broadcast and print releases for local media were implemented to  jump off the month celebrations,  A Motorcade around the city last June 4, and ended with a  Cheering Squad competition from the different divisions.

 On June 5 DAR sport fest will commence for the benefits of the employees under iots DAREA Organization. And on June 12 DAR Provincial office will join the celebration of the 104th Independence Day Celebrations

There will be a press conference on June 13 and the continuation of DAR Sports fest and Cheering Competition.

 A “KUMUSTAHAN SA ARC” on June 21 as part of the ARAW NG PAGADIAN CITY celebrations which will fall on the same date.  And on June 25-28 a continued radio program and on June 29 a Tree Planting activities will takes place to show the DAR eagerness to help and support the environment protection and preservation.

After the last week of DAR activities a culmination program will take place with the different LGU’s, NGO’s, PO’s and ARCs participations.

 As of presstime, DAR Provincial Office will be coming of a signature campaign that would request the provincial government with its new elected officials to rally behind the request of the farmer’s beneficiaries that there will be another extension for the CARP Law.

 PARO II Atty. Sabijon further told the Mindanao MONITOR, that, there should be an extension, “ If the government needs its farmer to become more economically stable in order to them to participate in the rural development program of the g0overnment especially in paying their taxes promptly. (with reports from Mariflor Durac and Jong Cadion)

Last update : 18-08-2007 12:04

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