Farmers walk for justice

Monday, November 19, 2007

Farmers walk for justice
Presidential intervention may be their only recourse to reclaim ancestral land

By Rhaydz B. Barcia, Correspondent

DARAGA, Albay: The Sumilao farmers of Bukidnon in Mindanao brave the scorching heat of the sun and heavy rains by walking more than 2,000 kilometers to reach Malacañang in search for justice and hoping to regain ownership of their ancestral land.

In question are some 144 hectares of ancestral land that belong to the Higaonon lineage that decades ago some powerful people managed to take over from the San Vicente Landless Farmers Association and the Mapalad Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Mapalad) farmers and transform into cattle ranches, pineapple plantations and now even into pig farms.

The Sumilao farmers are composed of 40 men and 15 women led by Samuel “Toto” Nerida, 53, chairman of Mapalad who left Bukidnon on October 10 for this dramatic trek across the islands on foot. For 36 days, they marched through the Visayas, traversed the entire, setting foot on the island of Luzon on November 9 through the municipality of Matnog, Sorsogon, on their way to Metro Manila.

Tatay Toto, with his graying hair and mustache has braved this journey barefoot, accompanied by his 21-year-old son Elgin, and 53 other comrades who had brought with them their “white rosary” to for strength and courage during a peaceful journey, along with the customary placards making public their advocacy.

Along the way, the group gets strong support from various sectors of society, especially from fellow farmers who are sympathetic to their cause and are able to relate with the struggle the farmers have opted to pursue with admirable passion.

Arriving in Matnog, the group was welcomed by farmer organizations such as Pangopod, BAP, LPKI-SCUPFI, CBTG and Coastal Core who all joined the march towards Sorsogon City, as a demonstration of their support and solidarity.

On November 13 in the afternoon, the marchers took refuge at the Daraga covered court for another night, officials and employees of the Department of Agrarian Reform regional office led by Regelio O. Rondan, assistant regional director for operation came to share with them food and water as well as new slippers to replace worn-out ones.

During a mass for the farmers officiated by Fr. Monching Segubiense of the St. Gregory the Great Parish, the statement of Bishop Lucilo B. Quiambao, apostolic administrator of Diocese of Legazpi expressing support for the farmers of Sumilao, their families, and organizations.

“The Diocese of Legazpi, the clergy, religious and lay faithful is one with you in your efforts to achieve the truth and justice that you seek,” said Bishop Quiambao. “Our people are no stranger to such quest. It is about every farmer’s, fisher folk’s and laborer’s dream of securing a good future for his children and his children’s children. It is about how hard it is to reach that quest and fulfill that dream in this country, under present conditions.”

After the mass and dinner was when the farmers found time to rest their feet that were swelling with bruises, and very thick and infected calluses from the long journey on foot.

On November 14, at 4 a.m., the marchers left Daraga and headed for Ligao City. The Manila Times joined the Sumilao farmers in their march from Daraga to Guinobatan covering almost 20 kilometers.

While walking, Tatay Toto told The Manila Times that they had all the intentions of making the protest march as peaceful as can be, if only to make their appeal to President Arroyo as credible and irresistible. They see presidential intervention as the only recourse, hoping that the President legitimately awards them the 144 hectares as a Christmas gift.

“We’re walking against hunger and to seek for justice. We’re appealing to President Arroyo to legally award to us the ancestral land taken from us by the wealthy and powerful people,” Tatay Toto said the Sumilao farmers are expecting to arrive in Manila on December 7 with the hope that their protest jour­ney would have underscored their plight well enough and gain the attention it deserves that they may regain their long lost ancestral land. Add to that the call for reform and extension for the CARP program beyond 2008, as well as the need for a national land use legislation.