Section 27August 7, 2009, Sec./Art. 27

Powers and Functions of the COCAR. - The COCAR shall have the following powers and functions:

(a) Prescribe and adopt guidelines which shall govern its work;

(b) Hold hearings and consultations, receive testimonies and reports pertinent to its specified concerns;

(c) Secure from any department, bureau, office or instrumentality of the government such assistance as may be needed, including technical information, preparation and production of reports and submission of recommendations or plans as it may require, particularly a yearly report of the record or performance of each agrarian reform beneficiary as provided under Section 22 of Republic Act No. 6657, as amended;

(d) Secure from the DAR or the LBP information on the amount of just compensation determined to be paid or which has been paid to any landowner;

(e) Secure from the DAR or the LBP quarterly reports on the disbursement of funds for the agrarian reform program;

(f) Oversee and monitor, in such a manner as it may deem necessary, the actual implementation of the program and projects by the DAR;

(g) Summon by subpoena any public or private citizen to testify before it, or require by subpoena duces tecum to produce before it such records, reports, or other documents as may be necessary in the performance of its functions;

(h) Engage the services of resource persons from the public and private sectors as well as civil society including the various agrarian reform groups or organizations in the different regions of the country as may be needed;

(i) Approve the budget for the work of the Committee and all disbursements therefrom, including compensation of all personnel;

(j) Organize its staff and hire and appoint such employees and personnel whether temporary, contractual or on constancy subject to applicable rules; and

(k) Exercise all the powers necessary and incidental to attain the purposes for which it is created.