Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)

To rally nationwide support to extend agrarian reform

Catholic bishops unite militant groups, govt

(19 November, 2008)

The Catholic prelates led the regional caravans to unite militant farmers' groups and government agencies to push for the continued distribution of lands with support services to rural farmers in accord with the church's social teachings.

Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) President Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, who convened the Bishops-Legislative Forum on the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in Cagayan de Oro cited the need of the program since "thousands of small farmers are yet to own the land they till."

"While in industrializing countries the ownership of knowledge, technology and skill is becoming more important than land, for most of the developing countries such as ours, land is still central," he said.

He stressed that the moral test of society is how it treats its most vulnerable members. "We are called to look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor," he added.

The CBCP, through the CBCP News, its official news service provider earlier reported Pope Benedict XVI's message to the President to continue and strengthen CARP so it could sustain the right of the Filipino farmworkers.

Farmers belonging to PAKISAMA, Task Force Mapalad, Federation of Free Farmers, Mindanao Farmworkers Development Center, Partnership for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, UNORKA as well as officials from the Department of Agrarian Reform vowed to work together to ensure the immediate passage of the CARP bill in Congress and Senate before both Houses adjourn for Christmas break.

Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman said the legislative bodies still have 14 sessions to act on the bill. FFF President Leonardo Montemayor meanwhile said "it is important to ensure that CARP will have funding for the coming years. Congress must pass it now, any amendments to make it a more viable program could be deliberated later on," he said.

Meanwhile, the Luzon South Multi-Sectoral Forum was likewise earlier convened by Lipa Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles and attended by Bishop Reynaldo Evangelista of Marinduque; Bishop Buenaventura Famadico of Gumaca, Quezon; Bishop Emilio Marquez of Lucena, Quezon; and Bishop Lucilo Quiambao of Legaspi, Albay.

"We want a serious CARP implementation because progressive reforms will truly benefit the poor farmers. CARP should be placed at the center of our country's agricultural development, transformation and competitiveness," Bishop Arguelles said.

Aside from the bishops, Reps. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan and Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas and Atty. Christian Monsod extended their solidarity and commitment to the farmers appeal for CARP extension with reforms.

Baraquel said that through the program, 1,976 agrarian reform communities were developed into self-sufficient communities. The DAR adopted the ARC development strategy to optimize the provision of development interventions from agrarian reform stakeholders.

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QROs and PACCU Officers undergo EHEM Seminar Workshop

(18 November, 2008)

Various Quick Response Officers (QROs) and Public Assistance and Complaints Coordinating Unit (PACCU) Officers nationwide undergo an Anti-Corruption seminar in Davao City last November 16, 2008. This is in line with the values training program of the Department.

Asst. Secretary Edgar Igano, DARAB Board Member and concurrent Officer-In-Charge of the Internal Audit Service gave the opening and inspirational remarks. RD Yusoph Mama of DARRO-XI welcomed the participants in Davao while Director Erlinda Manluctao of SCS discussed the Rationale & Objectives of the Seminar. BARlE Director Nelia Manahan presented the Values Training Program of the department.

Atty. Jim Coleto, Head Executive Assistant of the Office of the Secretary delivered the Message from the Secretary. In his speech, HEA Coleto cited the crucial role of the QROs and PACCU Officers to speed up our response to our clienteles and in the accomplishment of Agrarian Justice Delivery.

He also stressed the need to communicate to the public the efforts being undertaken by the department in combating corruption particularly at this time when news involving high-ranking government officials in corruption controversies hugs the headlines of most broadsheets and dailies. He reported the directives of the Secretary to all DARCO and Field Officials regarding the simplification of procedures in LAD, PBD and AJD pursuant to the instructions of the President to observe Anti-Red Tape activities in all government agencies. He also mentioned the adherence of the Secretary in austerity measures and leading by example.