Filtered By: Topstories
News

Anti-Cha-cha, pro-CARP rallyists dispersed outside Batasan


MANILA, Philippines - A commotion ensued outside the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City after a government team used water canons in dispersing hundreds of farmers and rallyists clamoring for the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and opposing moves for Charter Change. A team from the Bureau of Fire Protection reportedly started to disperse the rallyists at about 4 p.m., Monday. The rallyists' tents were also destroyed and Manila auxiliary bishop Broderick Pabillo, who joined the farmers, was also not spared and got wet as the dispersal team sprayed water on the rallyists. The House of Representatives has started its marathon session on Monday to pass priority measures eight days before Congress takes another recess. The House has at least 12 measures in its unfinished business, which include Speaker Prospero Nograles' House Resolution 737 seeking to amend the Constitution's economic provision; the bill for the extension of the CARP with reforms and another measure related to the 2010 elections. Insensitive Peasant-based organizations are pressing the House to pass the CARP measure that would ensure farmers' rights over the lands they till. “We’re calling for the nth time on Congress to act on the CARP extension bill. We’re calling on the lawmakers to fulfill their promise made last December when they passed the Joint Resolution No. 19 that they would study CARP and pass a better law," said Edna Sobrecaray, spokesperson of the peasant federation Task Force Mapalad (TFM). “These congressmen are insensitive to us. They are big landowners or allies of landowners. We expect very little, but we have to call on them because they are the ones who make the law," said Rolando Flores, a farmer-beneficiary from the Negros Oriental. Sobrecaray said lawmakers should stop pushing for Charter change and focus instead on passing the CARP bill. “Farmers are totally dismayed that the administration congressmen are deeply preoccupied with pushing for charter change when the most urgent need at present for the millions of Filipino farmers is CARP extension," Sobrecaray said. CARP is due to expire on June 30. Congress sessions will adjourn on June 5, leaving only a few days for congressmen to act on the pending bill. 'Killer' amendments Earlier, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines warned lawmakers against passing seven "killer amendments" in the extended and reformed version of the CARP bill. The CBCP issued a pastoral statement where it stressed the positive impact of agrarian reform on poverty reduction, if it is properly implemented. "We oppose in the strongest terms, the threat of 'killer amendments' being inserted by some senators and congressmen that will effectively emasculate the objectives and gains of the CARP with Extension and Reform (Carper) Bill for the poor farmers. These amendments are called 'perfecting' amendments by their proponents, which in reality would dilute, slow down, and reverse the gains of the program and reduce the resources available for it," it said in its pastoral statement signed by CBCP President Angel Lagdameo. On the other hand, it commended some initiatives by "well-meaning" legislators seeking to extend and reform the flawed provisions of the old agrarian law. It particularly referred to consolidated Senate Bill 2666 and House Bill 4077, now up for Senate’s and the House of Representatives' deliberation and approval. "Unfortunately, time is running out as there are only nine session days left for Congress to enact this essential law," it said. The CBCP branded as "unacceptable and antithetical" the seven proposed amendments to the Carper bill, including: • Phasing of land acquisition and distribution, which targets first those landholding measuring 50 hectares and above without prejudice to the coverage of lands below 50 hectares, after an accomplishment trigger of 90% by the respective provinces. This is unconstitutional in that the 1987 Constitution does not distinguish on whatever basis the agricultural lands to be covered under CARP. Putting the 90% trigger as condition for resumption for coverage of smaller landholdings may actually result in most of the remaining landholdings being left uncovered or undistributed, the CBCP said. • Reconsolidation of agricultural lands by previous landowners after the 10-year retention period, and/or the reduction of the 10-year prohibition on sale of awarded land to three years. "These provisions clearly favor former landowners and could defeat the purpose of the program because it will allow them to reacquire foreclosed lands, thus reconsolidate their landholdings," the CBCP said. • Allowing leaseback arrangements of awarded lands between farmers and landowners/corporations. "We find this proposal to be inequitable and contradictory to the ultimate goal of agrarian reform, which is to grant ownership and control over the land and its resources to the tillers. CARP does not intend to protect whoever has the capacity to buy and operate big plantations, at the expense of the small farmers," the CBCP said. • Institutionalization of Commercial Farm Plantations in CARP. This proposal is objectionable as it expressly seeks the transfer of control of lands from farmer-beneficiaries to the landowner or any other agribusiness venture “partner." • Increasing the compensation to landowners and increasing the downpayment from the present 25 percent to 30 percent to 50 percent. This proposal, which is based on case-specific decisions of the Supreme Court, would result in a reduction of funds available for land acquisition and distribution and support services and would effectively prevent the program from being completed. • Transfer of jurisdiction over agrarian cases from the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) to the regular courts. "We fear that the transfer of jurisdiction will only serve to marginalize the farmers, who could be subjected to a more adversarial and costly processes," the CBCP said. • Legislating the disqualification of “habitual squatters" from becoming CARP beneficiaries and making them criminally liable and punishable with specific penalties under the law. "There is an alarming likelihood that this will be used as an instrument to harass legitimate farmer-beneficiaries, who are typically branded as 'squatters' by landowners. Legislating this provision will allow landowners to threaten farmers with criminal cases," the CBCP said. On the other hand, the CBCP twitted some legislators who it said are willfully neglecting a vital sector that contributes to the country’s economic growth. "Abandoning the agricultural sector will not only threaten farmers but imperil food security itself. Conversely, distributing lands to small farmers will provide equitable economic opportunities in the rural areas and eventually reduce poverty and unrests, which are major deterrents to democratic development," the CBCP said. - GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT