Guv calls on rebels:
Fight poverty with us
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday reiterated his call for rebels to give up their armed struggle and join the provincial government in its fight for freedom from poverty and injustice for everyone.

“Come down and we will give you livelihood assistance so you can improve your lives and send your children to school”, he said.

The governor issued the call at the celebration of the country’s 116th Independence Day at the Capitol Lagoon Park in Bacolod City, where he distributed P2.14 million in assistance to farmers groups and insurance benefits to families of barangay tanods.

Says end of CARP
will draw investors
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday welcomed the act of Congress that allows the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program to expire on June 30, and said this will lead to the return of investors in agriculture, the growth of which had been stunted by CARP.

Congress did not grant another CARP extension when it adjourned Wednesday, and it will resume sessions on July 28, Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District) said.

Since it was not extended, it will end on June 30, and those properties not served notices of coverage before that date will no longer be subjected to CARP, he added.

I’ll hasten sugar bill - Drilon
BY CARLA GOMEZ

Senate President Franklin Drilon yesterday promised to expedite the passage of the Upper House version of his Sugarcane Industry Development Act bill, that passed on second reading in the Lower House Wednesday.

Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd District), who met Drilon at the Vin D’ Honneur in Malacañang Palace attended by members of the Diplomatic Corps for the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day, assured that he would follow up the counterpart bills in the Senate.

The Negros solon said he hopes the sugarcane bill will be approved on third and final reading in the Lower House in August so it can be transmitted to the Senate, and, hopefully be passed into law before the end of the year.