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April 5, 2009 lupang hinirang lupang hinarang citizens' petition for CARPER updates

Liga ng mga Barangay-Caloocan, Issues a Resolution Calling for CARPER; Mayor Echiverri Gave Full Support to Farmers

by Atty. kaka J. Bag-ao

The powerful Liga ng mga Barangay ng Caloocan strongly supported the farmers’ cause for the immediate enactment of House Bill 4077 and Senate Bill 2666 during a General Assembly of the Punong Barangays held at the Bulwagang Katipunan in the Caloocan City Hall. Further, Rico Judge “RJ” Echiverri, the current National President of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, led the issuance of “Liga ng mga Barangay ng Caloocan Resolution Calling for CARP Extension with Reforms” wherein all the 104 Punong Barangays of Caloocan present at the assembly signed and openly supported the farmers.

The Liga ng mga Barangay, created by virtue of Section 491 of the Local Government Code of 1991, is an organization of the almost 42,000 barangays throughout the country. It was organized primarily for the purpose of determining the representation of the barangay in the sanggunian and for ventilating, articulating and crystallizing issues affecting barangay government administration and securing solutions to these concerns.

The Resolution stated, “The Liga Ng Mga Barangay adheres to the 1987 Philippine Constitution which mandates the implementation of Agrarian Reform to serve the purposes of social justice and national development. Agrarian Reform should not only be the concern of the farmers but of all the citizens of the Philippines as it relates to food security and rural development of the whole nation. Therefore, The Liga Ng Mga Barangay, hereby strongly demands from the Congress of the Philippines the immediate enactment of a law which seeks to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) with significant reforms.”

The Resolution also strongly urges everyone to sign in the Citizens’ Petition for CARP Extension with Reforms and join the March Rally on April 13, 2009 where farmers, agrarian reform advocates and other groups and individuals will march to the Congress of the Philippines to demand the immediate enactment of House Bill 4077 and Senate Bill 2666.

At the later part of the assembly, Caloocan Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri, also came to welcome the Punong Barangays and the 5 farmers who were invited to speak before all the barangay officials on the status of agrarian reform and the pending bills in Congress. Mayor Echiverri supported the farmers’ cause and signed in the Citizens’ Petition for CARPER. Moreover, Liga ng mga Barangay President RJ Echiverri and Caloocan Mayor Recom Ehciverri invited the farmers and other agrarian reform advocates to speak before all the Punong Barangays of the Philippines in a scheduled National Conference in May 19-21. The farmers happily accepted the invitation.

Young CSB Students Inspire Farmers

When the farmers went back to CARITAS, a group of young and spirited students from the College of Saint Benilde (CSB), led by its incumbent Student Council President Aren Santos, prepared a sumptuous dinner for all the farmers and support groups. The students also integrated with the farmers and conversed with them during the meals. The farmers shared their stories and struggles for the campaign for the passage of the CARPER Bill, while the students also shared their sentiments on the matter. The students promised to support the farmers in every way they can.

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Farmers from Sumilao, Banasi and Calatagan who stayed in Manila are asking the public to join the CARPER campaign, as national development is founded on solid building blocks like agricultural development. Giving the farmers land to till enhances their opportunities for better income. Increased income for the rural poor results in an improved economy. An improved economy means a better country. Agrarian reform means economic development and food security not just for the farmers but also for all citizens in the country.

The farmers are also asking the public to join them in a March to Congress to bring the citizens’ petition for CARPER bearing 1 Million signatures. The march to Congress is scheduled to be held upon Congress’s resumption of session on April 13, 2009.

If you want to help gather signatures and schedule a screening of Lupang Hinarang, a film made by Ditsi Carolino (the filmmaker who made Bunso and Minsan Lang Sila Bata), please contact the following for details and information:

Kaka Bag-ao: kakabagao@gmail.com
Jane Capacio: cheeryjanee@yahoo.com
Mally Gargar (BALAOD): 09224456384; 09177171879
Reggie Aquino/Junard Devila (KAISAHAN): 4330760

You may also visit the site for updates www.carpernow.multiply.com

CARPER Signature Campaign & Congress Watch

As of today, the farmers were able to gather 52,741 signatures in support of CARP Extension with Reforms and have become more emboldened in their quest for social justice as more and more individual citizens and sectors walk with them in their struggle.
byAtty. Kaka J.Bag-ao


As of today, 11 Senators are CARPER advocates and assured the bishops that they will help ensure that a new CARP law will be enacted, with compulsory acquisition restored, and with at least P147 billion budgetary allocation, to wit, Senate President Juan Ponce-Enrile, Sen. Gringo Honasan, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Richard Gordon, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Ping Lacson, Sen. Pong Biazon, Sen. Nene Pimentel, Sen. Mar Roxas, and Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

As of today, 105 representatives have signified their support for the cause of the farmers and pushed for the adherence to the Constitutional mandate of undertaking and completion of an effective agrarian reform program in the country. The latest additions are Representatives Prospero Nograles (Davao), Ma. Amelita Villarosa (Mindoro Occidental), Michael John Duavit (Rizal), Robert Raymund Estrella (ABONO), Alejandro MaraƱon (Negros Occidental), Conrado Estrella (Pangasinan), Jeffrey Ferrer (Negros Occidental), and Andres Salvacion (Northern Leyte) during the lunch meeting with the Bishops on 2 April 2009.

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