Deputy Presidential Spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo appealed to the farmers to be patient as DAR addresses their demand to distribute 414 hectares of sugar haciendas owned by the Arroyos in Negros Occidental.

"The Palace has directed DAR to take appropriate action to address the plight of the farmers of the Arroyo estate," Fajardo said.

Fajardo cited that the First Family had already placed one of the haciendas – the 157-hectare Hacienda Bacan – under CARP coverage, and that the hacienda’s distribution among the farmers is "under way."

"The land distribution process is under way. We ask for understanding and patience on the part of the concerned farmers given that the Arroyos have already placed their 157-hectare land under CARP," she said.

Farmers in the sugar haciendas of the Arroyos are seeking the realization of Mrs. Arroyo’s promise to them to distribute about 1,000 hectares of Arroyo lands in Negros Occidental.

Mrs. Arroyo had already effected the distribution of 558.9 hectares of the haciendas, but the farmers are demanding the distribution of the 157-hectare Hacienda Bacan, the 197-hectare Hacienda Grande, and the 60-hectare Hacienda Paraiso, all in Negros Occidental.

Fajardo said Mrs. Arroyo continues to support the bill to extend CARP which she endorsed as urgent before Congress.

"DAR is working for the extension of CARP in Congress and the President favors the extension. It was, in fact, one of the agenda during the last Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) meeting," she said.

The farmers have also sought the assistance of Catholic bishops to remind the President about her promise to distribute the land to them.