By VENUS MAY H. SARMIENTO

ONLY the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) being implemented by the Department of Agrarian Reform was given the June 30 deadline, not the department per se, according to the DAR provincial office.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Raul Laluan clarified Tuesday the issue during the ‘Pantongtongan Tayo’ radio program of the Philippine Information Agency over DZMQ.

“Marami na kasing nagtatanong sa akin at nagsasabing hanggang June 30 na lang kami kung hindi i-extend ng Kongreso. Let’s clear things out, CARP is just one of the many programs of DAR. Nung nag-end ang CARP nung December 30 as regards land distribution, heto nga binigyan ng extension na six months. Pero wala pang linaw kung mae-extend pa uli. But maextend man ang CARP o hindi, ang DAR andiyan pa rin,” Laluan, a lawyer, clarified.

He said the agency has yet to hear the final ruling of Congress as to the fate of CARP.

When asked of his stand regarding the matter, Laluan said CARP has done so many good things to the farmers and their families. Aside from land distribution, CARP also renders support services and delivery of basic agricultural needs, he said.

“From 1996-April 2009, CARP has funded 237 kilometers of farm- to- market roads in the province. Irrigation and post harvest facilities have also been distributed to the towns of Pozzorubio, Villasis and San Manuel, considering the very minimal funding of the office,” Laluan pointed out.

DAR, according to Laluan, is also implementing the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP) which provides livelihood opportunities for farmers. Four farmer groups in Anda, Mabini and Labrador have been trained on making boneless bangus, cashew nut, cashew wine and sawali through the support of the Department of Trade and Industry and other agencies.(PIA-Pangasinan)