QC okays free anti-pneumonia shots for senior citizens

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1038570
• Monday, June 18, 2018

(DAR)

QUEZON CITY, June 18 -- The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is celebrating the 30th year of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program’s (CARP) implementation with various activities from June 18-29 at the DAR compound.

CARP is a government initiative that aims to grant landless farmers and farm workers ownership of agricultural lands. It is provided under the law signed by former President Corazon Aquino on June 10, 1988.

With the theme “CARP@30: DARe2 Change,” the DAR will highlight the three decades of land reform implementation as it moves forward to its second phase focusing on distributing idle government lands with intensive programs on providing support services to farmer-beneficiaries.

DAR Secretary John Castriciones said the marching orders of President Rodrigo Duterte is for the government to pursue an “aggressive” land reform program that will help alleviate the life of poor Filipino farmers.

“For the second phase of the agrarian reform program, we are eyeing to cover mainly reservations and lands occupied by state universities and colleges that have been left idle,” Castriciones said.

Castriciones said the celebration of CARP in the DAR central office is simultaneous with DAR regional offices nationwide.

Anniversary activities

To kick-off the 30th CARP anniversary on June 18, the DAR will hold a photo exhibit at the DAR lobby. It will feature a photo narration of the milestones of CARP for 30 years.

The ARBs housing program will be launched on the same day in front of the model house located within the DAR compound. The ARB housing program is one of the major programs of the second phase of agrarian reform implementation under President Rodrigo Duterte. This will be led by Secretary John Castriciones and his distinguished guests.

A mass distribution of land titles to farmer-beneficiaries in Iloilo on June 20 will be led by President Duterte together with DAR Secretary John Castriciones and Governor Arthur Defensor.

A trade fair entitled “Harvesting the Best of 30 Years” will be held on the grounds of DAR on June 18-22. The trade fair will showcase agri-products of agrarian-beneficiaries such as fresh and processed products, processed poultry and meat products, food ingredients and additives, furniture and handicrafts, natural and organic products and a lot more.

Other highlights of the celebration include a short video showing three decades of CARP implementation (June 18), a cultural night where employees and guests indulge in games and talent competitions (June 25-29), and Gawad Parangal (June 28), an afternoon of honouring outstanding employees, farmers and cooperatives that have made achievements and inspired others and the community to do more.