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56 farmers shave heads to protest CARP extension delay


MANILA, Philippines - Fifty-six farmers shaved their heads Tuesday afternoon to protest the continued delay in the passage of a bill that seeks to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). The 56 farmers were part of the 1,000 who had earlier gathered in front of the Malate Church in Manila. The farmers came from the provinces of Bukidnon, Bicol, Batangas, Romblon, Negros, Quezon, Bulacan and Davao, according to Sumilao farmers’ leader Yoyong Merida. The farmers also belonged to Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka (PAKISAMA) and Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK). The farmers, including those who shaved their heads, then attended a Mass concelebrated by Pampanga (San Fernando) Archbishop Paciano B. Aniceto, Batangas (Lipa) Archbishop Ramon C. Arguelles, Leyte (Palo) Archbishop Jose Palma, Samar (Catarman) Bishop Emmanuel Trance and Pampanga (San Fernando) Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino Cortez. In his homily, David called on legislators to immediately pass the CARP extension measure. “Agrarian Reform is a product of the farmers’ struggle, sweat and blood. This is their boat to cross the river of their sorry plight but there are sectors who aim to drown this boat," David said. Merida, for his part, said the farmers were calling on President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to press Congress to pass the CARP bill and reminded the President of her promise to pursue agrarian reform for the benefits of the farmers. President Arroyo had earlier certified the CARP extension bill as urgent. After the Mass, the farmers, along with several members of religious and civil society, marched to Malacañang to bring their protest there, but they were blocked by police, a radio report said. Radio dzBB's Teresa Tavares reported that the marchers were blocked at the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue and Morayta Street in the University Belt. Manila police allowed the marchers to hold a program for 30 minutes, after which the demonstrators were dispersed peacefully. The report said that as of 8 p.m., C.M. Recto Avenue was open to traffic. - GMANews.TV
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