"Given that millions of Filipino families subsist on farming and continue to live in poverty due to the high rental expense that they pay their landlords, a genuine land reform program will go a long way towards uplifting their lives.
Thus, I believe that the real challenge for our Presidentiables, some of whom come from landed families, is being able to go beyond lip service and lead the initiative to ensure that CARPER is passed before June 5, 2009.
It is always easy to say that you pro-poor and that you understand their plight. But it is harder to stick up for your convictions when your own personal interest and that of your supporters are at stake.
Many civil society groups including Kaya Natin’s local government leaders and the Catholic Church have already expressed their support for CARPER. My unsolicited advice to the Presidentiables? If you truly are for the poor then now is the time to show it, support and actively campaign for CARPER.
The Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) is currently working with the Award-winning Director, Ditsi Carolino for a red carpet screening of her documentary entitled, Lupang Hinarang on May 28, 2009 at the Ateneo de Manila University. This by-invitation only event aims to gather different leaders from government, civil society, business, academe, media, youth and the Church in support for the passage of CARPER. For more information on this, please contact Cristyl Senajon at (02)426-5657."
by Harvey S. Keh, Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship at the Ateneo School of Government (ASOG). harveykeh@gmail.com
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