Senate to hear Western Visayans' voice on CARP extension
ROXAS CITY – The Senate Committee on Agrarian Reform chaired by Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan will conduct a regional consultative meeting to deliberate on the proposed legislative measures relating to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) on Friday, May 2, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Nesta's Garden Hall here.
Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Eberardo N. Erispe said the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has been tasked to assist the said Senate committee in the conduct of this activity.
Participants to the consultative meeting will consist of representatives of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs), people's organizations, non-government organizations, local government units, academe, religious groups, media, and other sectors from various provinces of Western Visayas.
The region is composed of the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
No less than President Arroyo has called for the extension of the program for another five years with a P100-billion funding. The Chief Executive has recently asked congressmen to prioritize the passage of the bill.
The Committee on Agrarian Reform of the House of Representatives has approved the proposed measure, a move that was welcomed by DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.
Capiz Governor Victor A. Tanco, Sr. also has said he is for the extension of CARP so that it would benefit more agrarian reform beneficiaries and help propel countryside development.
The Senate committee on agrarian reform has Sen. Miguel Zubiri as vice chair with Senators Edgardo Angara, Manuel Lapid, Juan Ponce Enrile, Francis Escudero, Panfilo Lacson, Loren Legarda and Jamby Madrigal as members.
Its ex officio members are Senators Jinggoy Estrada, Francis Pangilinan and Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. (PIA-JSC)