To plan use of remaining P10-B fund
Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III has convened the 150th meeting of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) Executive Committee with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s goal to distribute lands for free and provide support services to agrarian reform beneficiaries.
“I was tasked by the President, being the vice chairman of the PARC, to convene this very important meeting, to use the remaining P10-billion of the Agrarian Reform Fund (ARF) to realize his dignified goals for our farmers,” Estrella said.
The meeting expressed its determination to adopt the President’s recommendation for the release and utilization of P10 billion from the ARF balance, which will be used for:
• Landowners compensation, with an amount of P1.4-billion for documented landholdings with pending claims which are due for payment;
• Support services budget, with P7.85-billion for the implementation of projects including agri-extension services, distribution of farm input support and farm machinery to agrarian reform beneficiaries, infrastructure development, and public works projects, among others;
• Additional P500 million for administrative and operating expenses needed for the implementation of the above components of the agrarian reform program; and
• Institutional human resources for capacity development programs, P250 million to empower and enhance the competencies of the Department for its effective implementation.
During the meeting, Estrella said members of Congress have committed to the President that they would pass the “New Emancipation Act” for the landless farmers this December.
“This bill would enable the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to distribute free lands to the farmers,” he said.
This would create a great impact on the farmers along with the intensified provision of necessary support services to make their lands become more productive to generate more income, Estrella added.
“I believe that this is a historic executive meeting because this gathering will not just improve the lives of the farmers, but it will also have a beneficial effect in our agricultural sector,” he said.