The disclosure of such data was one of the demands in House Resolution No. 914 filed by Anakpawis in March last year.
“As DAR bared the list of anti-CARP lawmakers, they might as well disclose the real status of cancelled CLOAs, CLTs and EPs, we have been long requesting this information so as to determine whether CARP had succeed or failed,” said Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap in a statement.
He noted that Anakpawis had also demanded the same information during the budget deliberations for DAR last year.
“The cancellations of CLOAs, CLTs and EPs have been reported by various farmers organizations affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and Anakpawis Partylist. The cancellations were mainly based on the numerous provisions of RA 6657 such as the exemption clauses that favor landowners,” he noted.
Hicap said DAR’s endorsement of CARP extension is “a big scam, as well as the concealment of status of CLOA cancellations. We must stand watch as this program has wasted billions of pesos of public funds that went to hacienderos and their accomplices.”
Anakpawis asserted that “CARP is dead” and a new law is needed for a land reform program. The group is pushing for the passage of House Bill 252 or the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) that proposes free land distribution and nationalization of agricultural lands.
“There are many news about traditional politicians, warlords and rich who are abusive and oppressive of the poor, HB 252 is an instrument of the poor against the oppressors,” Hicap said.
Anakpawis said that GARB was “guided by the principles of social justice, nationalism, democracy and human rights, hence it proposes confiscation of lands acquired through unscrupulous means or sullied lands, to be distributed free of charge to poor farmers.”
“It also aims to protect agricultural lands from foreign interests by nationalization and ensure that the fruits of the land are enjoyed by the Filipino people,” Hicap also said. Hicap noted that, on the other hand CARP “had been an instrument used by big landlords and big corporations to grab lands and displaced farmers as what transpired in Hacienda Looc in Batangas, Hacienda Yulo in Laguna, Hacienda Dolores in Pampanga and many parts in the country.”
“Let us move on, never ever resuscitate the dead CARP, let us pass the new GARB,” he added.
