By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
NEGROS’ land tillers seem excited with President-elect Bongbong Marcos in Malacañang soonest.
But they really want now to hear words from President Bongbong about the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Their questions, hence:
What are Bongbong’s plans on CARP?
Will it have a culmination soonest?
Well, let’s be candid about CARP. It’s a signature program of the late President Cory Aquino. It was born via Republic Act No.6657 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL).
Then, CARP was implemented in 1988, just two years after Cory assumed as the first woman and revolutionary president of the country.
Such intends to redistribute private and public agricultural lands to help beneficiaries survive as small independent farmers.
Too, ‘twas designed to put an end to conflict regarding land ownership.
The original plan covered eight million hectares of landholdings, and must be completed within 10 years upon implementation. But for 34 years now, it remains a “failure”.
CARP’s balance as of May 2022: around 450,000 hectares, disclosed Agrarian Reform secretary Bernie Cruz.
In Negros alone, revealed by DAR Region 6 director Shiela Enciso, around 33,000 hectares are still up for distribution.
INEXORABLE
Since CARP is an inexorable government program, no president can just ignore such. The “cry” of beneficiaries always lingers in the ears of every administration.
To be a bit sarcastic, CARP is like a “ghost” that continues to haunt the country. Even President Duterte can’t escape from it. Under his watch, he promised to conclude the program. Beneficiaries cheered, but ended a little bit frustrated lately.
Nonetheless, the Duterte administration was able to distribute more than 500,000 hectares of CARPable lands, records from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) bared.
Of the figure, more than 400,000 farmers benefited.
Not so bad, after all!
‘SOFT TOUCH’
Secretary Cruz, however, is confident that with President Bongbong, capping CARP is possible. But of course, he said, there might be a “twist” in the course of implementation. And it’s the “soft touch” approach.
Explained by Cruz, “It is aimed at averting any CARP-related violence during land distribution.”
Thus, he advised CARP beneficiaries: “It’s better to be neither emotional nor confrontational during turnover.”
Cruz per se hates to see “bloody” land distribution.
“Not a healthy regimen,” he quipped. “Everything can (always) be done through a consultative approach.”
I do agree!
Before, CARP was associated with violence – mild to worse – against farmer-beneficiaries. Pitiable, indeed! That’s why he primarily cites the assistance provided by the local government units (LGUs), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army (PA) to DAR in ensuring peaceful land distribution.
ATTAINABLE
Rooting on Bongbong’s campaign slogan “Babangon tayong muli” (We’ll rise anew), farmer-beneficiaries are confident that the incoming President will give utmost importance to CARP.
Teresita Tarlac, president of Task Force Mapalad (TFM) – Negros & Panay Chapter, stressed they’re hoping for a sincere and full implementation of CARP under BBM.
Director Enciso’s response: Attainable!
“As long as there are no more hitches, DAR can actually complete the distribution of the remaining CARP balance.”
Addendum by Cruz: “With BBM now, we’re more than optimistic to cap CARP soonest.”
SOCIAL JUSTICE
CARP is synonymous to social justice. However, prolonging such “super beyond” its target completion is tantamount to injustice.
The power for its implementation is solely vested in DAR. Sections 50 and 18 of Republic Acts 6657 and 9700, respectively, defined those DAR powers.
But with the previous CARP-related incidents – killing and harming farmer-beneficiaries – specifically in Negros, DAR was tagged a “villain”.
The Agency was accused by having a “cool hand” in the implementation of the program. Thus, ‘twas dared to be brave now else CARP will never meet its conclusion forever and ever.
Sans pretension, Cruz, in a one-on-one interview in Bacolod on Feb. 8 this year, personally admitted that CARP implementation is a “high risk job” for DAR people really.
He stressed, “We need to always keep our balance…Mediation is always the key,” he enunciated.
Understandable!
NO STRANGER
CARP implementation per se is really “suffocated” with lots of legal challenges. And Cruz is no stranger to these legal impediments. Thus, Cruz’s appointment last October vice John Castriciones was billed as a boon for CARP.
He’s the only DAR secretary who really rose from the ranks, being one of the homegrown executives of the said agency. Hence, he already knew the problems within.
Too, he knows what’s best to cure (legal) complications.
In fact, he confessed that aside from the 450,000 hectares CARP balance, there are also that around 250,000 hectares which are considered beyond legal rescue.
Meaning, these 250 hectares previously identified as CARPable, too, can no longer be distributed to the identified beneficiaries.
VERSUS FOOD SECURITY
Meanwhile, Cruz hoped that with the possible culmination of CARP under BBM, it’ll pave the way to more agricultural developments in the country.
Beyond CARP, he’s also thinking of the government’s thrust on food security.
“Sayang na sayang kung maibigay na ang lupa and then the beneficiaries will no longer take care of the commercial viability of those lands,” he underscored. “Sana naman hindi umabot sa punto na ang CARP ang magiging mortal na kaaway ng food security thrust ng gobyerno natin.”
Cruz wants all the stakeholders of CARP to really think of the win-win solution(s) how to maintain the program truly significant in time.
“It’s time for us to think outside of the box to prevent migration of the farm workers’ dependents from farm to cities just because of CARP.”
This reality, he stressed, is inevitable if and when CARP stakeholders won’t dwell on the freshest ideas how to make CARP viable and profitable to all.
On record, bared Cruz, 75 percent of the 100 million Filipinos are into farming.
‘FIGHTING THE GIANTS’
That’s why Cruz hailed TFM, among other groups in the country who continue to support and advocate for the farmers’ rights and welfare in owning the lands.
He though prayed that all the advocacies concerning CARP and welfare of the beneficiaries must be suitable -slash-sustainable even beyond the culmination of the program.
In sum, Cruz’s trajectory on CARP is somehow “parabolic” that can detect the possible pros and cons.
Aiming for social justice through CARP is a no easy thing. It is like “fighting the giants”.
And the truth is, the elements of “guns and goons” are still there that put the farmers’ lives always in danger.
Lots died (already) because of CARP. Sad but true./PN
