New, expanded CARP on top of Castriciones’ agenda

MANILA, Philippines —The first measure that senatorial aspirant John Castriciones would file in the Senate, should he win in the 2022 elections, would be a new and improved Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

“I’d like that we continue the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, that’s number 1. But, it should be a new and improved Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program wherein we would expand the coverage,” Castriciones, former Department of Agrarian Reform secretary, said on INQside Look that aired on Friday.

“So, after 2014, there are no more lands acquired by our government for purposes of private lands to be distributed to our farmers. I’d like to extend it,” he added, explaining that CARP stopped in 2014.

READ: DAR chief urged to issue CARP notices of coverage immediately

Castriciones acknowledged that individuals with vast properties would oppose his supposed bill.

However, he said that sacrifices must be made to achieve progress in the country.

“But, I think if we want to become a progressive country, we must be able to cooperate with one another. There must be some sacrifices that must be given. There are some sacrifices that must be offered so that we will be able to attain, to level and progress in our country,” he pointed out.

The former agrarian reform chief likewise would like to include the legislation of support services to farmers to promote their welfare, saying this would also improve other sectors of society.

“I would like to legislate a law that would have to enhance the support services to our farmers. That is very important. Without support services, our farmers will never be able to enhance their economic lives,” he noted.

“When the farmers would be able to enhance their economic lives, it will have a domino effect. Why? Because other sectors of our society would likewise be given the opportunity to improve their lives,” Castriciones said.

“There would be ample food, food sufficiency for everyone. And of course, we can now concentrate on our dreams of becoming an industrialized country,” he went on.

Castriciones filed his certificate of candidacy for senator under the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan.

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