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House assures CARP extension by June

Source : 04/02/2009 | 05:15 PM

GMANews.tv

MANILA, Philippines - The bill extending the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) for another five years would be approved before June 6, House Speaker Prospero Nograles assured bishops and farmers on Thursday.

After the dialogue between lawmakers and representatives of farmers' groups and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Nograles said he is confident he can convince House members to approve the measure before Congress' second regular session ends on June 6.

"Yes, I will," Nograles said in a text message to GMANews.TV when asked whether he can get enough votes for the passage of House Bill No. 4077.

One of the bill's primary authors, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, said he is very happy with the way the dialogue turned out.

Lagman said it was also agreed upon during the dialogue that the bill would cover all agricultural lands, and that the compulsory acquisition mode, which was taken out in a joint resolution approved last December extending the CARP until June, would be reinstated.

An oversight committee that would ensure the implementation of the program would also be created, he said.

Deliberations on the consolidated measure that would be crafted by the House-Senate technical working group would begin once session resumes April 13, Lagman added.

The consolidated measure might adopt the Senate's proposed P147-billion budget for CARP as opposed to the House's P100-billion proposal, and the budget for support services might also be increased annually, he said.

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel, another author of the bill, said she is thankful that lawmakers and concerned sectors arrived at a consensus during the dialogue. She described the battle for CARP extension as an "emotional roller coaster ride" and said the Speaker's assurance that the CARP bill will be approved gave her renewed hope for farmers.

Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, who joined farmers in a hunger strike in December to push lawmakers to pass the CARP extension with reforms bill, also heaved a sigh of relief over the agreement.

"I feel happy about the entire dialogue, at least narinig namin ang kanilang assurance na ipapasa nila ang bill na ito [At least we heard their assurance that they will pass this bill]," Pabillo said.

Former Commission on Elections chairman Christian Monsod, who serves as counsel for pro-CARP farmers, said he is pleased that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo appears to be true to her word that she wants the agrarian reform program extended.

"Kami po ay nagagalik din na ang Presidente tumutupad sa kanyang pangako [We are happy that the President is keeping her promise]," said Monsod.

President Arroyo had earlier certified as urgent the CARP extension bill.

Monsod expressed concern over the "phasing provision" in the Senate version, which places lands to be acquired under the compulsory acquisition mode in Phase 2 and 3 instead of Phase 1. He however said this appears to be workable because the Senate has expressed willingness to revise the bill or at least strike out the provision. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV