Wednesday, April 02, 2008 Benguet agri office confident of Carp extension
THE Benguet Provincial Agrarian Reform Office (Paro) is optimistic that government will give way to calls for the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp).
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Jude Gawigawen said they are crossing its fingers for the Carp law to be extended so more farmers will be able to acquire lands.
"There have been island consultations for the extension of Carp and we are hoping the administration will certify the proposed bill for this purpose as urgent," Gawigawen said.
The Paro was able to distribute 16,335 hectares of land to agrarian reform beneficiaries as of last year. The office targets 24,683 hectares.
Gawigawen said bulk of the lands to be distributed yet is in Bakun, Kapangan and Kibungan.
"We are targeting to distribute more than 3,000 hectares in the next six years if the law is extended," he said.
The Carp will end on June 10 this year. Cordillera officials supported calls of other regions for the extension of the law for another 10 years to give more land to the landless. (JC)
