QUEZON CITY – Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones has declared war against graft and corruption within the office, saying that “heads will roll” in pursuit of his “no-holds-barred” campaign for a graft-free department.
“There will be no sacred cow in this campaign,” Castriciones said as he sent a strong message to all DAR officials and rank-and-file employees to resist the lure of graft and corruption.
Castriociones issued the warning as a gesture of reassuring President Rodrigo Roa Duterte that the DAR would never again be dragged in any corrupt activities as in the past when it was linked to multi-million scams involving the Malampaya Fund and the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).
In a speech during the distribution of certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) to 386 farmer-beneficiaries last May 2 in Mulanay, Quezon province, President Duterte said he is all out in support for the second phase of the country’s agrarian reform program which he considers as vital in getting the agriculture industry back on its feet.
“I want to resume land reform because it is really needed,” he said.
The President emphasized the possibility of converting idle and forest lands into productive agricultural areas for the farmers in the country.
“Bitawan na natin lahat ngayon. Wala namang silbi ‘yan. So it is not productive. It’s not being used for anything. Why do we not embark of another second phase land reform?” he declared further.
The President personally addressed Secretary Castriciones to work on the prospect of taking on measures to turn public and idle lands productive.
“Sabi ko kay Secretary John Castriciones, ‘bakit hindi mo na lang i-reform lahat pati yung bukid? Totoo. Wala namang silbi ‘yang mga gobyerno na lupa,” he said.
Not only devoted to rice and corn, President Duterte also emphasized that farmers should also engage in the production of high-value crops such as coconut and rubber.
“And even if it is really a mountain or a hill, tatanim ninyo coconut at rubber. And that is my experience in Mindanao,” he added.
He also pointed out that funding would not be a problem as the country’s economy is growing fast.
President Duterte, however, stressed that the government should get rid of corruption since it remains as a major stumbling block to the success of his administration’s many poverty alleviation programs.
“If we just save money, walang corruption. At ‘yung pera talaga nagastos mo, ito gastusin mo, aabot talaga doon sa intended beneficiary or objective. I do not see any reason bakit hindi natin magawa,” the President said.
Castriciones made an assurance that farmers will primarily benefit from the proposal of the President, not only through land distribution but also on the continuing support programs and services of the department.
Some DAR officials had been linked to various multi-million scams in previous years.
Among the most controversial are their involvement to the P200-million agribusiness program in 2007-2008; the 900-million Malampaya Fund for the rehabilitation of farmers devastated by typhoons in 2009; and the 230-million budget insertion in 2010 involving fake non-government organizations.
Among those charged with violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act before the Sandiganbayan were: DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, Undersecretary Narciso Nieto, finance director Teresita Panlilio, budget officer Ronald Vinancio, and chief accountant Angelita Cacananta.
Castriciones said his leadership will institute appropriate measures for DAR to get rid of graft and corruption and proceed with the proposal of the President for the implementation of the next phase of agrarian reform program in the country. #
