On Agrarian wREckFORM

On June 10, Filipino peasants marked the 20th year of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) since its inception via Republic Act 6675 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) under the Aquino administration. Twenty years after, the picture in the countryside seemed to be the same two decades ago, or even worst , amidst blatant land conversion and manipulation under CARP.

Regardless of the issues that hound the program since its conception through its extension in 1998, present scenario may well distinguish the boon and bane of this measure.

As of 2008, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) accounted a remaining 1.8 million hectares of disposable lands, hence, the move to extend for another five years. With a P12 billion unexpended budget from the P162 billion total CARP allocation, a five year extension would just be enough, at least for land acquisition and distribution (LAD).

DAR claimed that the extension would only cover LAD. However, DAR Sec. Nasser Pangandaman's calculations seems to fall short of reality. Pangandaman boasted of an increase in annual target of distribution of land, from 100 thousand hectares prior to 2005 to 130 thousand hectares or more upon his assumption in DAR. But setting the 1.8 million hectares as jump off point, it would show that the 5 years extension is not enough without downplaying the extra effort that maybe exerted along the way. Or if we are to deduct the 600 thousand hectares assigned to DENR for disposal, and setting a generous 200 thousand hectares per annum distribution in 5 years means a balance of 200 thousand ha. of undisposed lands.

Closing its deadline, campaigns from various persuasions heightened and the people's attention is focused to Congress where a battle is highly anticipated. But early on, the Senate downplayed any moves for extension saying that CARP was ineffective and inutile from the beginning, and extending would be futile. Sen. Nene Pimentel challenged DAR to prove the effectivity of the program and submit to the Senate raw data.

While in the Lower House, several versions of pro and anti extension Bills were filed. Standing out were three versions, the Lagman, Beltran and Garcia versions. Ultimately, the Garcia version is flocked in by iconic landlords such as Iggy Arroyo, Garcia, Durano, Remulla, etc. and it called against extension. While the Lagman version calls for the 5-year extension, and almost similar to the proposals of Malacanang and DAR, supposedly with reforms. And the Beltran version, which is the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill which seeks to put a halt to CARP and enact an overhauled program that would ensure immediate land distribution.

While each camps claim merits to their proposed measure, it would appear that choosing the best choice entails a closer look at the accomplishments, or rather disappointments of CARP. This post wont dwell on the details but on achieving its promises, of a COMPREHENSIVE land distribution. Then, let me just cite several cases of blatant manipulation into what progressive peasant groups called, the inutile, fake and pest program.

• An almost 8,000 ha of prime of farmlands in Hacienda Looc in Nasugbu, Batangas were converted into an exclusive eco-tourism called Harbor Town developed by SM Properties as per Presidential order, thus displacing thousand of farmers, fisherfolks and residents within the hacienda.
• Several thousands of hectares of land in Silang,Cavite, previously farmed for fruits and vegetables is now undergoing development into a word-class golf course owned by Ayalas, displacing hundreds of farmers. Part I(more details to follow)