REACTION PAPER: REPUBLIC ACT NO.

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 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6657, OTHERWISE, KNOWN AS THE
COMPREHENSIVE AGRARIAN REFORM LAW OF 1988, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.
This act of agrarian reform constitutes prioritizing and taking to the highest
consideration the welfare of landless farmers and farmworkers and aimed at developing a
self-reliant national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. This act targets to uplift
the lives and economic status of the farmers and for the benefit of national food security.
Due to not enough agricultural land to be divided and distributed to each farmer,
it provides rules and guidelines in just acquisition and distribution of lands. Taking into
consideration on how farmers can own the land and forcing unproductive lands to be
productive if they are suited for agricultural industrialization.
This act also encourages that the program implementation shall be community
based. Farmers are expected to have greater control of farm gate prices and credit.
So that the state can provide appropriate support, it recognizes the right of farmers
to participate in planning, organization and management of program. This is very
essential to take account since farmers don’t have enough access to technology and
research on their own. Financial support and marketing techniques will be very helpful in
starting and their profit acquisition.
Taking into consideration of equality between men and women, this act strengthen the
right of women to own a land to farm. They are also entitled in just share of fruits and to
be part of appropriate decision making bodies. The state must be considering that women
also are taking part in supporting lives of their children.
Republic Act no. 9700 shall be the key for Philippine Economic progress, if and
only if they are fully implemented and never forgotten its purpose. Taking into account
that Philippines are blessed with diverse agricultural farmlands and fishing resources,
Philippine economy should not need importation of goods from foreign country.
Currently, the state is tolerating and supporting importation particularly the basic
commodities like rice, sugar etc. With vast land and advance agricultural technology,
together with support of our financial institutions, it is possible not to entertain
importation. It is also unfortunate that the current administration is making a blend eye on
issues of foreign fishermen to utilize our fishing resources. Wherein in this Act, it
strongly declares that the state shall protect the rights of subsistence fishermen.
 By providing this Act, it shall result to Philippine economic progress. It should
lessen farmers selling their lands and fishermen stop inland and offshore fishing. I think
both state and farmers are forgotten the purpose or never fully understand what to chieve
in this act.