Lucy et al accused of derailing CARP

SINCE its passage in 1998, the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp) has not completed its mandate to distribute farms to landless farmers owing mainly to strong resistance from landowners. This was learned at an agrarian forum organized by the non-government organization Kaisahan Tungo sa Kaunlaran ng Kanayunan at Repormang Pansakahan (Kaisahan).

For Gillian Marie M. Cruz, project development officer of Kaisahan, it is a simple case of non-implementation of the law, citing the non-installation of farmer-beneficiaries (FB) that have been holders of Certificates of Land Ownership Agreement for more than 15 years.

Based on Kaisahan’s experience in Ormoc, installation of FBs have been cancelled on the day itself after the Department of Agrarian Reform (Dar) considers the objections raised by the landowner even if it is empowered to dismiss such opposition. Most of the objections raised pertain to the landowner’s retention rights that are being lobbied for expansion.

This is the reason why the passage of HB 4296 is being held, explains Wilson K. Requez, national coordinator of the People’s Campaign for Agrarian Reform Network (AR Now!), also an NGO. The bill seeks to extend Carp’s Land Acquisition and Distribution component by renewing Dar’s authority to issue Notices of Coverage (NOC). This, in effect, extends the agrarian reform law.

However, a powerful group of wealthy lawmakers from the Visayas is pressing for amendments to HB 4296, one of which is to increase the retention rights of the legal heirs of a deceased owner of an agricultural land subject to Carp but not yet issued an NOC.

Under the law, a landowner who dies after June 15, 1988 and whose land was issued an NOC, is allowed to retain a maximum of five hectares of his landholding. But under the amendment, if such landholding was not issued a NOC before Jan. 1, 2015, each heir will retain five hectares.

Another amendment proposed by landlord-politicians is the exemption from Carp coverage of landholdings not yet issued NOCs that are immediately adjacent to national highways and are non-irrigable or rain-fed. These two amendments in effect decrease the available agricultural lands for coverage to be distributed to landless farmers.

What the lawmakers of the Visayas bloc are doing is conflict of interest, Requez says, considering they are using their authority and influence as public officials for their own benefit. Asked if Leyte 4^th District Rep. Lucy Marie Torres-Gomez is included in the Visayas bloc, AR Now! President Anthony Marzan answered in the affirmative.