Thursday, January 25, 2007 DAR admits hardship in implementing agri program By Grace L. Plata
A DEPARTMENT of Agrarian (DAR) official admitted they are having difficulties implementing the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp), saying that such hardships are expected when implementing a social reform program.
DAR undersecretary for field operations Narciso Nieto said their department is facing many problems like the resistance of landowners to let go of a portion of their lands but they are exerting all efforts to expedite the resolution of pending matters especially in Davao.
Nieto had to come out of the ongoing assessment conference at the Waterfront Insular Hotel yesterday to face protesting farmers. He butted in to explain the situation of the government after a heated argument ensued between DAR-Southern Mindanao Director Rodolfo Inzon and one of the farmers.
Nieto apologized to the farmers for the snail-paced proceedings but explained that the department has to follow protocols in respect to landowners' rights while giving the farmer-beneficiaries what is also rightfully theirs.
Legal and technical problems such as the identification of rightful beneficiaries, the delineation of the land under coverage, and the landowners' demand for right compensation have also become factors for the delay, Nieto said.
"Alam namin naiinip na sila at talagang mabagal ang usad pero di kami papayag na sabihin na wala tlaga kaming ginagawa," Nieto said.
Inzon said 207,000 hectares out of the targeted 210,000 hectares have already been distributed.
Inzon said they are positive that they can accomplish the distribution of the remaining 3,000 hectares as soon as contentions are straightened out.
