FEB.

20, 2015

NR # 3748B

Lawmakers move to extend term of land reform Congressional Oversight

Noting the vast agricultural lands which have yet to be distributed under the land
reform program, lawmakers have moved to extend the term of the Congressional
Oversight Committee on Agrarian Reform (COCAR) until December 31, 2016.
The House Rules Committee is now in receipt of House Joint Resolution No.29
seeking said extension filed by Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat, Jr., Rep. Kaka J. Bag-ao,
Rep. Patricio T. Antonio and Rep. Salvio B. Fortuno.
As of June 30, 2014, the Department of Agrarian Reform reported that about
726,421 hectares of agricultural lands remain undistributed under the Land Acquisition
and Distribution Component of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP),
Baguilat revealed.
Section 26 of R.A. 9700, An Act Strengthening the Comprehensive Agrarian
Reform Program (CARP), extending the acquisition and distribution of all agricultural
lands, instituting necessary reforms, amending for the purpose certain provisions of R.A.
No. 6657, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, as
amended, and appropriating funds therefor, created the Congressional Oversight
committee on Agrarian Reform (COCAR) to oversee and monitor the implementation of
this Act, Fortuno noted.
Rep. Bag-ao pointed out that in the course of its review and assessment, the
COCAR has identified numerous significant concerns affecting the CARP stakeholders
which remain to be unaddressed by its different implementing agencies.
The COCAR was composed of three (3) members from each Houses of Congress,
with the chairpersons of the Committees on Agrarian Reform of both chambers as
chairpersons.
Despite the instituted reforms and the mandated budget allocation provided under
Section 21 of R.A. 9700, a lot of significant issues and problems continue to persist in the
implementation of the program, the Antonio stressed.
The lawmakers pointed out that due to necessity, the COCAR recognizes the vitality
of continuing its mandate to oversee and monitor the implementation of the CAQRP, to
ensure the completion of the acquisition and distribution of all agricultural lands, and to
further recommend necessary reforms, among others.
The COCAR is mandated to oversee and monitor, in such a manner as it may deem
necessary, the actual implementation of the program and projects by the Department of

Agrarian Reform (DAR).

Under its mandate, the COCAR, among others, may hold hearing and consultations,
receive testimonies and reports pertinent to its specified concerns and secure from the
DAR and the LBP information on the amount of just compensation determined to be paid
or which has been paid any landowner.
Likewise, the panel may secure, among others, from any department, bureau, office
or instrumentality of the government such assistance as may be needed, including
technical information, preparation and production of reports and submission of
recommendations or plans as it may require, particularly a yearly report of the record or
performance of each agrarian reform beneficiary as provided under Section 22 of R.A.
6657, as amended.
The lawmakers cited the constitutional provision stating that the State shall by law,
undertake an agrarian reform program founded on the right of farmers and regular
farmworkers who are landless, to own directly and collectively the lands they till, or in the
case of other farmworkers, to receive a just share of the fruits thereof. (30) dpt