DAR tackles CARP issues with NGOs in Dumaguete

By Rachelle M. Nessia

Wednesday 20th of June 2012

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 20 (PIA) -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here met with representatives from non-government organizations (NGOs) to discuss issues involving the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in Negros Oriental.

Officials from DAR central office in Manila and provincial office here sat down with the NGO representatives in a two-day workshop-dialogue dubbed “Problem-Solving Session with Focus Global” held last June 4 and 5 at the Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn.

Focus Global is an NGO based in the National Capital Region serving as the national secretariat of the Save Agrarian Reform Alliance.

During the dialogue, recommendations were laid down on how best to address the concerns of civil society organizations raised during the latest CARPER assessment done on the landholdings that the NGO members are engaged in.

“One of the agreements reached during the dialogue was the conduct of regular monthly sessions by members of DAR’s special action team to tackle issues and concerns related to CARP implementation at the municipal level,” said Gherelene Mae Rafols, provincial DAR information officer, in a statement.

Similar discussions on a quarterly basis will also be done at the provincial and central office levels, said Rafols.

The special action team from DAR central office present during said dialogue are Assistant Director Lilibeth Lee, Assistant Director Ana Maria Castelo, Atty. Aison Garcia, Atty. Louis De Los Santos, Jr., and from the provincial office, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II Stephen Leonidas.

The NGOs that form part of Focus Global, who were represented during the dialogue, are Negros Oriental Center for People’s Empowerment and Development, Negros Oriental Institute for Rural Development, Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan Inc., and the Negros Farmers Council. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)