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MADAMO GUID NGA SALAMAT!

From the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) family, its officials and personnel most especially here in the Province of Iloilo, I would like to thank all who advocated for the passage of the CARP Extension with Reform Law possible. With such development, DAR would be able to continue the gains of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program and to finish the unfinished business, which is the distribution of the remaining privately owned agricultural lands. In doing so, DAR can proudly tell everybody that it has accomplished one of its major program components as mandated.

Nonetheless, CARP is not all about land distribution, it is coupled with the provision of support services which include but are not limited to infrastructure projects - farm-to-market roads, bridges, irrigation and post harvest facilities, rural electrification, potable water supply, multi-purpose buildings - extension services, credit assistance, and institutional development.

As a social justice program of the government, CARP is likewise mandated as a reform measure meant to correct centuries - old injustices. It upholds the rights of the beneficiaries under the law. DAR adjudicates agrarian reform cases and extends free legal assistance to beneficiaries affected by the cases filed by those who want to delay or put off the program.

DAR commends those who actively supported the passage of the CARP Extension bill - Her Excellency, Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo for consistently pushing for CARP's extension, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) for faithfully calling the attention of the lawmakers to pass into law this very important legislation, the members of the civil society who were always out in the streets to steer everybody's awareness of the necessity of CARP as a social justice program, members of the media for being vigilant in covering and reporting to the public all events and updates of the CARP extension, and of course to all our lawmakers for finally considering and sustaining the existence of CARP.

After a long and difficult struggle, at last the call for the CARP extension has been heard.

Madamo guid nga salamat.

(Sgd) GIDEON A. UMADHAY, JR.

OIC- rovincial Agrarian Reform Officer II