December 13, 1996
DAR OPINION NO. 127-96
Dir. Adelberto Banigued
DAR Region VIII
Tacloban City
SUBJECT : Position Paper on the CARP Coverage of Sugarlands within the Ormoc Sugar
Mill District
Dear Director Baniqued:
This has reference to the Position Paper of the Ormoc Sugarcane Planters Association. Inc., represented by its President, Atty. Inaki P. Larrazabal, Jr.; Occidental Leyte Farmers' Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (OLFAMCA), represented by its President, Mr. Teofilo Fran; and Unifarm Multi-Purpose Producers Cooperatives Inc. (UNIFARM), represented by its President; Daprosa Perez, subject of the referral letter of then Director Remigio A. Tabones. Said Position Paper is a request for the DAR Secretary: 1) to consider that it is not economically feasible and sound to divide sugarlands into small farmlots for distribution to supposed beneficiaries; 2) that DAR must respect the status quo existing between the farmworkers and the landowners-planters and the contract of agreement which they have executed which proved to be effective in establishing and maintaining a peaceful and harmonious existence between them; and 3) that DAR create the support service offices and facilities for the benefit of the supposed beneficiaries and the landowners-planters.
In this connection, please be informed that since the mandate of CARL is for the acquisition and distribution of agricultural lands, the coverage of the sugarlands within the Ormoc Sugar Mill District should not be dispensed nor affected by the allegation that it is not economically feasible to divide sugarlands into small farms. The mandate under CARL to acquire and redistribute to qualified beneficiaries all lands suitable for agriculture outside of the retention limits subsists. Henceforth, you are advised to continue and/or proceed with the acquisition and distribution of lands covered by R.A. 6657 at the earliest practicable time considering that the CARP is to be completed within ten (10) years from the effectivity of R.A. 6657 on June 15, 1988.
For information and guidance.
Very truly yours,
(SGD.) LORENZO R. REYES
OIC-Undersecretary
LAFMA
Copy furnished:
Atty. Inaki F. Larrazabal, Jr.
Ormoc Sugarcane Planters Ass., Inc.
Ormoc City
Mr. Teofilo Fran
Occidental Leyte Farmers' Multi-Purpose
Cooperative, Inc.
Ormoc City
Mrs. Daprosa Perez
Unifarm Multi-Purpose
Producers Cooperative, Inc.
Ormoc City