Posted by Sumilao on Apr 14, '08 10:42 PM for everyone A second feature on the Sumilao farmers' struggle will be featured on ABS-CBN's The Correspondents tonight (April 15, 2008) at 11:30 PM. We invite everyone to watch this feature. God Bless! Posted by Sumilao on Apr 9, '08 1:13 PM for everyone April 9, 2008 Dear Friends and Companions, Greetings of peace! We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the support that you have given us and the Sumilao Farmers. Through your passion and involvement, you have continuously inspired us to get more involved in worthy causes especially at this time when the need for development that embraces the poor and vulnerable has become more urgent. Last March 30, 2008, the 144 Sumilao farmers together with their support groups went home to Sumilao, Bukidnon through C-130 and Fokker 50 airplanes of the Philippine Air Force. Upon their arrival, the farmer-leaders and Bishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ cut the barb wires that enclosed the 50 hectares of the disputed 144-hectare land. On their entry into the property, the farmers rejoiced and performed their thanks-giving ritual. At present, the farmers are tilling the 50 hectares that was initially given back to them by San Miguel Corporation through a compromise agreement. The remaining 94 hectares are to be identified and offered by San Miguel Corporation to fulfill their promise that the whole 144 hectares Sumilao land will be returned in full to the rightful Higaonon tillers. Had it not been for your generous support and prayers, it would have been most difficult for the Sumilao farmers and their support groups to triumph against this blatant injustice. We fervently hope that you will continuously be one with us in prayer and in the work to help them attain justice and until such time that they are able to regain the total 144-hectare land. However long and difficult their struggle promises to be, we have committed to supporting them in whatever ways we can and we hope that you will share in that spirit and desire to be in solidarity with them. Thank you very much and may God continue to bless you and all your good works.
Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Posted by Sumilao on Mar 31, '08 8:29 AM for everyone Source: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=127326
Sumilao farmers back in Bukidnon land
By Ryan Rosauro, TJ Burgonio Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 07:28pm (Mla time) 03/31/2008
SUMILAO, Bukidnon — For more than 10 years, they dreamt of setting foot on the land that was once theirs but was taken away.
Their fight eventually ended victorious even if they only got a portion of what they were trying to recover.
On Sunday, the triumphant Higaonon farmers entered a portion of the 144-hectare estate they had been claiming in San Vicente village here.
The ceremony marking the entry was wrapped by symbolisms that mirrored the ups and downs of their struggle to reclaim the land for over a decade now.
A day earlier, the farmers struck a compromise deal with food giant San Miguel Corp., which now owns the land through its subsidiary San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI).
The compromise deal provided them ownership of 50 hectares of the 144-hectare estate.
Although they did not get the entire area they had been claiming, the farmers—who walked from Mindanao to Manila to push the claim—were visibly overjoyed.
The last time they entered the estate, which was previously owned by the Quisumbing family, was on July 14, 1997, to demand their immediate installation after they were issued a collective Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA), by the Department of Agrarian Reform, under its Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
The 1997 entry was marred by violence when the farmers were driven out by security guards of the Norberto Quisumbing Sr. Management and Development Corp. (NQSRMDC), who unleashed 60 carabaos to force them out.
After camping in the estate for two days, the Sumilao farmers were eventually thrown out.
The NQSRMDC immediately put up a perimeter fence made of barbed wire to bar the Higaonon farmers from entering the estate again.
Then the government voided the CLOA given to them, as it approved the application for land-use conversion filed by the Quisumbing estate.
After the SMFI agreed to open some eight hectares of the area for their symbolic entry, the first thing the farmers did — who arrived earlier in the day aboard an Air Force C130 and a Fokker 50 plane from Manila — was to tear down the perimeter fence.
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma, SJ, and Bukidnon Bishop Honesto Ch. Pacana led the tearing down of the barbed wire fence while the stunned SMFI security personnel watched.
“Simply by being here is already a great triumph,” Romeo Anlicao said in the dialect.
Anlicao is chair of the Panaw-Sumilao Multi-purpose Cooperative, the new organization created for the 18 identified farmer-beneficiaries of the 50-hectare property that SMFI agreed to part with.
“Gusto kong mahiga sa lupa (I want to lie down on the land),” said lawyer Arlene Bag-ao of the non-government Balaod Mindanaw.
Bag-ao’s group has been providing legal assistance to the Sumilao farmers for the past 13 years.
“When we started the Walk for Land, Walk for Justice (last year), I surmised that getting even only two hectares is already a triumph given the great odds we faced,” she said.
Bag-ao said they expected that the farmers would be formally installed by Tuesday.
On Monday morning, the farmers will tear down the fence that stretches the 50-hectare area, according to Bagao.
In his homily during a mass he concelebrated with Pacana and Sumilao parish priest Danny Paciente, Ledesma told the farmers and their supporters that the historic entry was “just the beginning” of similar struggles for genuine land reform—with the experience of Sumilao farmers as inspiration.
In Manila, the settlement of the protracted land dispute in Sumilao can be credited to the farmers’ resolve to reclaim their land, not to the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, according to the militant farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Movement of Farmers of the Philippines).
If at all, the settlement between SMFI and the Higaonon farmers showed anew the failure of CARP, KMP said.
“It is through CARP that the land was taken from the Sumilao farmers in the first place but it is not through CARP that it was settled,” KMP chair and former Anakpawis party-list Rep. Rafael Mariano, said.
That was why, Mariano pointed out, President Macapagal-Arroyo’s call for the extension of CARP beyond June 2008 in the aftermath of last Saturday’s agreement was misplaced.
“It is very insulting for Gloria to say that the Sumilao case shows that CARP has to be extended,” he said in a statement.
Bag-ao, however, said it was inaccurate to say that the farmers reclaimed their land without CARP’s help.
“I don’t think that if there’s no agrarian reform law, this would have happened. The farmers made their claims based on this law. The processes may have been different, but the principles that were applied -- like the land being given to the farmers -- are the very essence of agrarian reform,” she said in an interview from Sumilao.
Mariano also said the farmers’ victory was “bitter-sweet” because they had to pay for the 94 hectares at its present market value. Posted by Sumilao on Mar 31, '08 8:27 AM for everyone
Sumilao farmers set foot on reclaimed land
By Ryan Rosauro
CAGAYAN DE ORO -- The exodus of Sumilao farmers ended Sunday when they entered the 50-hectare land of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) for the first time after struggling for more than 12 years to own it.
Rene Penas, leader of Sumilao farmers, jumped not once but thrice as the group broke into the property after cutting a portion of its fence in San Vicente, Sumilao town, Bukidnon on Sunday.
Penas then scooped a fistful of dirt, wept and cried out, "Mao ning yuta nga atong gibarogan. Ato na gyud (This is the land that we have struggled for. This is ours finally)."
Emotions of joy rang out at the 50-hectare land. Even members of the non-government organization (NGO) support groups wept, as the 12-year struggle by the Sumilao farmers came to an end.
"Gusto kong humiga sa lupa (I want to lie down on the soil)," Lawyer Arlene Bag-ao, the farmers' legal counsel, said.
Bag-ao said she and the farmers never dreamed that they could get a considerable concession from San Miguel Corporation when they started their march from Sumilao to Malacanang last October.
"Pangarap lang namin kahit dalawang ektarya lang ang makuha namin. Okay na sa amin noon na basta lang ipaalam ang kalokohan nangyari dito (We were hoping to get only two hectares when we started our walk. We only wanted to expose the great injustice here)," Bag-ao said.
On Sunday, Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and Bukidnon Bishop Honesto Pacana helped the farmers cut the wires that surround the SMC property.
The SMC guards have opened a gate to the property earlier but the farmers declined it, preferring to ceremonially cut the wires that have long separated their land from them.
"Handurawan ni sa akong mga anak (This is my legacy to my children)" Sumilao farmer Richard Cainoy said as he hand out a bag of cakes to his children, Ivan, 5, and Ivy Grace, 4.
A little farther from them, a group of farmers started tilling the land and planted bananas on a shallow row cut by a plow and a carabao.
The farmers and their supporters arrived in Cagayan de Oro from Manila on a Philippine Air Force (PAF) C130 and a Fokker plane Sunday morning. They immediately went home to Sumilao after eating breakfast in Xavier University.
Ledesma and Pacana celebrated mass on a makeshift altar after the farmers got inside the property.
"Many farmers in the country are looking at you. You are an inspiration that the dream of a comprehensive land reform program can be achieved without violence. This is only the beginning," Ledesma said in his homily.
"I hope that you set an example here that you can build a community where trust, equality and peace can reign," he added.
Payment
Nicanor Peralta, assistant director of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Northern Mindanao, said since SMC donated the property, the farmers will not pay for it.
Peralta said Sumilao farmers are already paying for the 47-hectare property owned by the late businessman Salvador Carlos that was awarded to them in 2001. The Carlos' land is part of the 243 hectares of land claimed by the Sumilao farmers from the start.
He said the farmers pay a total of P59,000 a year for the Carlos's land.
"They have made good in their payments," Peralta said.
Under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (Carp), farmers are made to pay for the land bought by DAR for their distribution.
The Sumilao farmers forged a deal with SMC, Asia's biggest food and beverage firm last Saturday in Manila.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by both parties said SMC would donate 50 hectares of the 144-hectare property claimed by the farmers, retaining 94 hectares, which the firm had developed into a hog farm.
SMC will replace it by buying 94 hectares from adjoining land in San Vicente mostly those owned by former Sumilao town Rey Baula.
Bag-ao said they have identified and accepted 63 hectares of the list of properties that SMC have proposed to buy for the farmers.
She said SMC will buy the land from Baula and offer it to DAR under the Voluntary Sale scheme, which the farmers will have to pay under the Carp program.
Peralta said they and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) will have to check how much is the value, location, accessibility and potential of the properties being offered by SMC.
Bag-ao said they expect DAR to officially install the farmers as DAR beneficiaries on Monday.(Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)
Posted by Sumilao on Mar 31, '08 8:25 AM for everyone
Farmers back in Sumilao, inspect new land By Katherine Adraneda
Monday, March 31, 2008After overcoming a colossal battle against a seemingly formidable opponent, the Sumilao farmers finally arrived home yesterday morning and immediately proceeded to the 50-hectare land given back to them by San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI). The farmers left for Cagayan de Oro City on an Air Force C-130 Hercules plane and an F-27 Fokker plane early yesterday, and journeyed by land to Barangay San Vicente in Sumilao town, Bukidnon. They left Manila a day after forging a settlement agreement with the SMFI represented by Ramon Ang, president and chief operating officer of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), mother company of the hog-farm project proponent within the disputed 144-hectare property formerly owned by the Quisumbings. “I don’t know what they mean about win-win solution, but as far as the farmers are concerned, this is a big victory for them,” lawyer Arlene Bag-ao, counsel of the farmers, told The STAR in a telephone interview. Bag-ao accompanied the farmers back to Sumilao. A Mass and program were held at the site yesterday afternoon. Weeks of negotiations led to the signing of the agreement between the farmers and SMFI last Saturday at the San Carlos Seminary in Makati City, which was witnessed by Church leaders led by Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Auxiliary Archbishop Broderick Pabillo. Under the agreement, the farmers will receive 50 hectares within the contested 144-hectare property through a deed of donation from the SMFI. The remaining 94 hectares will be taken from other properties in the vicinity of the contested area and will be distributed to the farmers through a Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) scheme under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Beneficiaries of the land are farmers belonging to the Mapadayonong Panaghuisa sa Lumad alang sa Damlag (Mapalad), San Vicente Landless Farmers Association (SALFA) and Panaghiusa sa mga Mag-uumang Nakibisog alang sa Yuta sa Sumilao (PANAW-Sumilao). The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has initially identified 79 potential farmer-beneficiaries to the 144-hectare land being claimed by the Sumilao farmers, who are of Higaonon descent. “If you would ask the farmers now, they are happy and willing to till the land, they are all prepared and ready to cultivate the land again,” Bag-ao said. According to Ang, the 50-hectare share of the farmers inside the 144-hectare land would be turned over for free and could be occupied immediately. The remaining 94 hectares would be taken from an adjacent property, which would be purchased by SMC on behalf of the farmers. Some called the agreement’s stipulations a “win-win situation” with the farmers getting the same size of land while SMFI, a subsidiary of food and beverage giant SMC, will continue its modern hog farm operations on the land it had purchased from the Quisumbings in 2002. Bag-ao said the farmers have already identified 64 hectares of the adjacent property suitable for planting. Search is still on for the additional 30 hectares to complete the 144-hectare land they are claiming. DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman explained that the 94-hectare property would fall under the CARP and as such would be paid by the farmers over a period of 50 years. “The farmers agreed on the payment because they know that it is part of the process,” Bag-ao said. “We know the farmers have won on this, but it is not yet over until all the 144 hectares are identified and covered and actually distributed to the farmers,” she added. As this developed, the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) branded the recent signing of a compromise deal between the Sumilao farmers and SMFI as “bittersweet” and “a testament to the inutility” of CARP. Rafael Mariano, chairman of KMP and concurrent president of Anakpawis party- list, said it is bittersweet because the farmers still have to pay for the 94 hectares of land. “By asking the farmers to pay for a land that is supposedly theirs, the deal contradicts the principle of social justice and genuine agrarian reform,” Mariano stressed. “Malacañang, the DAR, and SMFI are in essence duping the Sumilao farmers because there is no guarantee that the land, even the 50 hectares supposedly donated to them, would remain theirs. “Based on the CARP they have to pay the 94 hectares at its present market value. But in reality, a majority of farmers who were so-called CARP beneficiaries went bankrupt by paying land amortization and they were evicted from their lands eventually,” he added. According to Mariano, it is very insulting for President Arroyo to say that the Sumilao case shows that CARP has to be extended. Mariano insisted that it is through CARP that the land was taken from the Sumilao farmers in the first place, but it is was settled not through CARP. “It was only with the farmers’ firm resolve to own their land and the support of the Church and other sectors that pushed Malacañang and SMFI to work for a settlement,” the peasant leader pointed out. –Rudy Santos, Paolo Romero
Posted by Sumilao on Mar 13, '08 6:18 AM for everyone Appologies for the wrong information that was distributed in the ealier blog. Please refer to the following. <Corrections> - "The farmers are preparing to march to San Miguel Corporation" - They did not march to San Miguel Corporation eventually. They stayed at Caritas, settled down, had meetings for the next steps, and had prayer time for one of the grandchildren of the marchers who passed away in San Vicente. - Please do not emphasis the amount of land "200 hectares", but emphasize the fact that San Miguel's offer was outside of the 144 hectares and none from the 144 hectares. <Updates> - Today March 13, 2008 (Thursday), the 144 farmers resumed their march. - As of now, the plan is to march until Monday (including the weekends, non-stop) - The route and the time for the march is not yet officially set. Please be updated. Thankyou Posted by Sumilao on Mar 12, '08 1:15 AM for everyone The 4th Negotiation with San Miguel was held a few hours ago today. There was no agreement. San Miguel propsed that the farmers get 200 hectares outside the 144 hectares and not the 100 hectares inside because the biodiversity for the pigery is going to be ruined if they farm. (Are the pigs more important than the farmers? ) The Sumilao Farmers are angry, getting ready to march to San Migule Corporation. The support groups are trying to find a place near San Miguel that the farmers can sleep tonight. Please stand by for more updates! Posted by Sumilao on Mar 10, '08 10:05 PM for everyone Please cut and paste this message and email! Lets show our everlasting support for the Sumilao Farmers: we are hoping to send this message to 144,000 people (symbolizing the 144 hectares of land) subject : Sumilao farmers ask for our continued vigilance as the 4th Nego with San Miguel resumes on Wednesday (144,000 emails for the famers) (Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied) The Sumilao Farmers had been suffering for more than 12 years in fighting to regain their 144 hectares of ancestral land in Sumilao, Bukidnon. In spite of the legal and moral clarity of the case of the Sumilao Farmers and the promise of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo last December 2007 to finally give back their land, no significant progress has happened. Up to now, the words of President Arroyo to finally resolve and return the 144 hectares to the rightful Sumilao owners remain to be an empty promise. Even with the ongoing negotiations between the Church Task Force on Sumilao and San Miguel Corporation, no document has been released to-date to particularly identify SALFA and MAPALADas the rightful beneficiaries while fast tracking its own air-conditioned piggery inside the 144 hectares. On Wednesday, March 12, 2008, the 4th round of negotiations will resume. We are closely monitoring the said negotiation and the actions of San Miguel Corporation and the government. We pray that the government and San Miguel Corporation will have the resolve to finally put an end to the sufferings of our farmer-brothers and sisters from Sumilao by making good of their promises. If nothing concrete favoring the aggrieved Sumilao Farmers will come out of this negotiation, the 144 Sumilao Farmers together with the various Church-based organizations, colleges, universities, schools, non-government organizations and people's organizations have long been prepared to launch the following campaigns: 1) Continuous March around Malacanang Palace 2)Boycott of All San Miguel Products (especially Monterey Products) Please send this information to all people you know as a concrete _expression of our continuous vigilance in Support of the Sumilao farmers. We hope to circulate this email to 144,000 people. May this be our clear message both to San Miguel Corporation and to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that we will never grow weary of our loving support for the Sumilao Farmers in their fight for social justice. Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam. SIMBAHANG LINGKOD NG BAYAN Posted by Sumilao on Mar 9, '08 7:26 AM for everyone <UPDATES> 1. 144 farmers are staying in Caritas Manila right now . 2. March 6 Thursday - they had a meeting with DAR(department of agrarian reform) and San Miguel. 3. The result was that San Miguel gave them an offer: land offer, 50 hectares inside the 144 hec + 44 hec next to the 144 + 50 hec of land that is 8km far away from the 144. 4. The farmers are still staying caucious of this offer and will not be content until they are safely installed (be able to walk into the 144hec) since they have experienced betrayal before after their hunger strike in 1998. 5. There will be another meeting with DAR and San Miguel this wednesday. Things will hopefully become clearer after that. 6. However, San Miguel has requested that they not march (though it is not them that has the right to say, don't march...) therefore, the farmers will be camping out at Caritas until the next step. Posted by Sumilao on Mar 5, '08 9:57 PM for everyone We thank you all for your continued support and prayers for the Sumilao Farmers. We are humbly invitiing you and your group to attned the Sumilao Farmers' general assembly TOMORROW (march 7) @ CARITAS MANILA 5:00pm <AGENDA> 1.Updates and planning for the next step. 2. There will be a mass @ 6pm 3. After the mass, everyone is invited to have a solidarity dinner with the farmers. Please bring your baon. Groups who want to perform (song,etc.) are highly encouraged and will be much appreciated. PLEASE COME!! Posted by Sumilao on Mar 5, '08 9:55 AM for everyone re-posting the blog of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan. Mabuhay ang mga Sumilao Farmers! Patungo sa patuloy na tagumpay! --------------------- The march of the 144 Sumilao Farmers around Malacanang Palace today (March 5, Wednesday) was powerful enough to shake the government. In this light, the CHURCH-LED PROCESSION TOMORROW (March 6, Thursday) is hereby POSTPONED until further notice. We thank everyone for all the support and help, yet we humbly request that all of us should remain to be vigilant. May we not grow weary of our loving support for our farmer-brothers and sisters from Sumilao, Bukidnon in their fight for social justice. Thank you very much. Manalangin. Manindigan. Makialam. Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan Posted by Sumilao on Mar 2, '08 8:59 PM for everyone PRESS RELEASE
03 March 2008
Reference: Josel Gonzales - 09276409726
The Sumilao farmers who were poised to commence their march around Malacañang today had a meeting with the head of the Church Task Force on Sumilao, Bishop Broderick Pabillo last night. Bishop Pabillo reported that the negotiations with San Miguel Corporation has resumed. The farmers shared their concerns with Bishop Pabillo and the issues that has cropped in the contested 144-hectare property in Sumilao, Bukidnon. Among the issues they raised was the continuing construction of the hog farm in the contested land and the efforts of the municipal mayor to organize another group of beneficiaries. Bishop Pabillo told the farmers that they will raise these issues in the next dialogue with SMC. The Sumilao farmers will confer with Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales on Tuesday, March 4, 2008.
The Sumilao farmers decided to postpone their march around Malacañang in deference to the negotiations being undertaken by the Church Task Force led by the Cardinal and Bishop Pabillo. In lieu, of the march the farmers decided to hold a vigil at the Caritas Center in Pandacan, Manila where they have camped out since their arrival last Saturday evening.
Napoleon Merida Jr. said that last December they have entrusted the negotiations to the Church Task Force and they remain fully confident of the support of the Church to their cause. "We have opted to allow the Church representatives space to negotiate with San Miguel Corporation. However, this does not mean that we are putting down our guard. Our experiences in the past have taught us not to be complacent but remain vigilant especially during the process of negotiations. We are ready to march anytime if that is needed. We are one in our position that we will not return to Bukidnon until we will be installed in the land that is justly ours." Merida said.
Posted by Sumilao on Feb 28, '08 9:01 AM for everyone Sumilao Farmers MARTSA ONCE MORE!!!
March for Agrarian Reform, Truth, Social, Justice, and Accountability
144 FARMERS for 144 HECTARES in MANILA STARTING MARCH 3, 2008 (MONDAY) Question 1: Why are there here again? And why 144 of them?
A. 1) to drumbeat the campaign of the Sumilao Farmers for their 144 -hectare land (let's put them back on the front pages and in each and every TV, net, and radio news!!) 2 ) to pressure Malignant and SMFI to make good their promises and commitments to the farmers 3) to “introduce” each and every Sumilao farmer to the public as this is the juncture in the struggle when other “qualified beneficiaries” would want to be included in the title 4) to contribute to the majority of peasants' struggle for CARP extension 5) to update and sustain the support of the church, academe, peasant, and other networks for their cause 6) to show solidarity to the rest of the Filipinos in our common quest to unearth the Truth, demand for social justice, rule of law, and transparency, and exact accountability from the government
****TRUTH, ACCOUNTABILITY, and REFORM in the Agricultural sector is also an important factor to the whole Philippine nation! Question 2 : What can be done as the output of the march?
Hopefully, this should be able to bring the Sumilao farmers inside their 144
Question 3: What exactly will they be doing?
March around Malacanang from 7am – 6pm (end with mass until 7pm) non-stop
Question 4: Until when will they be here?
Until they get an installation order by DAR This order should include:
When the 144 hectares will be installed A list of names of who are the beneficiaries Question 5: What is their schedule?
March 1 (Saturday) :
Departure from Canyon de Oro (Boat )
March 2 (Sunday) :
Possible Arrival @ Manila 11pm
March 3 (Monday) :
Pres-Con : Kim, ritual, corn planting Mass : 6:30-7:30pm Dinner : 7:30-8:00pm Forum for support groups : 8-9pm
March 4 (Tuesday) :
March
March 5 (Wednesday) :
March with support groups (school tour [ invitation to join the march], concert/ film showing) ]
March 6 (Thursday) :
March with church ( station of the cross / procession)
March 7 (Friday) :
March Theme – Women's Day
March 8 (Saturday) :
Rest and Reflection
March 9 (Sunday) :
Mi sa para sa Katotohanan (@ Caritas) Posted by Sumilao on Feb 27, '08 5:57 AM for everyone TOMORROW February 28, 2008 Solidarity Groups Meeting (Updates and Next Steps) 4:30 ~ 6:30 pm @Calungsod Hall, Ateneo de Manila University Loyola House of Studies (Near SLB [Simbahang Likod na Bayan] Office) Posted by Sumilao on Feb 26, '08 9:30 PM for everyone Yesterday Feb. 26 (Tues). - Core support groups gathered to have a meeting. There will be 137 Farmers from Sumilao arriving in Manila on March 3, 2008 (Mon.) they will be joining the 7 farmers here in Manila to march around Malacanang 137 + 7 = 144 Farmers for 144 Hectares!!! Cease-and-Desist Order/ Notice of Coverage Extension of CARP The farmers are aiming to pressure President Arroyo to issue the Cease-and-Desist Order, the Notice of Coverage, and extension of the CARP. The farmers will be arriving on March 3 (Monday) 7:00am by boat (Pier) , have a Pres-con, and start their march to Malacanang on the same day. The current plan is for them to walk from 7am-7pm around Malacanang and then march back to Caritas (church of the poor) to camp out for the night. However schedules may change and there are more detailed schedules to be set so please check the Multiply for updates. Posted by Sumilao on Feb 25, '08 10:54 PM for everyone Yesterday Feb. 25 4:30pm - There was a Truth, Accountability, and Reform Concert @ Ateneo de Manila University Gate 2.5. The farmers also attended this "concert" which started with Ed sessions on each factor : "truth" "accountability" and "reform". Here the farmers participated as speakers in the Reform Ed session, talking about their continuous fight against the government and its bent system which needs to change its system as well as the extension of the CARP! The farmers were also present, though not joining directly, for the Noise Barrage where cars, trucks, and bikes honked their horns in support of bringing on Truth, Accountability, and Reform in the country. After the noise barrage, the farmers seemed to be happy to hear songs such as, "Tatsulok" "Tumindig ka", that had held up their spirit during their 1700km march. Below is an overview of yesterday's movement and what it has brought to the Philippine youth by the leader of Team RP a youth-led initiative to advocate and proactively work towards the fight for Truth, Accountability and Reform in our government. It is led by college students and young professionals who want to see genuine reform in our country especially in our government leaders today. Team RP: People Power Spirit is Alive in the Filipino Youth! by: Harvey S. Keh Lead Convenor, Team RP Many doubted but much more believed that the spirit of the 1st EDSA People Power Revolution is still very much alive in the Filipino Youth today. In a show of force and in response to former Pres. Cory Aquino's call for the youth to get involved, almost a thousand young Filipinos from all walks of life braved the rains to join Team RP's Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform which was held last night (Feb. 25,2008) at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. In a show of force youth leaders from different schools such as Ateneo, UP, DLSU, UST, Miriam and PUP joined Team RP's call for Truth, Accountability and Reform. Bankers, Doctors, Lawyers, Journalists, Businessmen, Teachers, NGO Workers and other young professionals also took time out to join the concert which started with a Forum on Truth, Accountability and Reform. The forum started with ZTE-NBN Whistleblower Joey De Venecia sharing with the audience his take on how this flawed and corruption-laden deal was entered into by our government. After De Venecia, a representative from the Union of Catholic Student Councils of the Philippines (UCSC) spoke about the need for young Filipinos to get involved and remain vigilant especially in these troubling times. To cap the forum, the Sumilao farmers talked about their long wait for their land despite a promise made by President Arroyo that she will award them their land early this year. After the forum and at exactly 6pm, Team RP led a noise barrage along Katipunan Avenue which was participated in by thousands of vehicles that passed by during that time. The regular noise barrage is organized by the BUSINA movement, which Team RP is part of. BUSINA stands for Buong Bayan Sinisigaw Tama Na, Itama Na! BUSINA is a growing movement pushing for Truth, Accountability and Reform which counts the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), PAKISAMA and CODE-NGO among its members. (these are also the main groups supporting the Sumilao Farmers) As soon as the noise barrage ended, the concert began with the very energetic hosts Erick Habijan and Jigjig Bautista introducing Team RP to the audience. Performers in the concert included Empty Siren Boulevard, Formula Juan, the CGE Band and Smoke My Cuban. In the middle of the concert, Noel Cabangon led the candle-lighting ceremony while also leading the crowd in singing, Bayan Ko. Testimonials of support were also given to Team RP and the Filipino Youth by noted Akbayan leaders Etta Rosales and Rep. Rissa Hontiveros-Baraquel, and Soc Banzuela of PAKISAMA, an organization that represents the farmers and peasants sector. Other notable personalities who joined the concert included Bishop Deogracias Yniguez and Ang Ladlad Founder Danton Remoto. To cap the night, Noel Cabangon sang songs which made everyone in the audience feel once more the spirit of EDSA People Power I as he encouraged every Filipino to continue to remain vigilant and proactively push for genuine and lasting reforms in our country. Aside from just enjoying beautiful music, Team RP also used the concert as an opportunity to invite young Filipinos to volunteer for upcoming activities that will continue to work towards achieving its goals of promoting Truth, Accountability and Reform in our government. Among the initial action areas that Team RP is planning to do are as follows: For TRUTH - To continue to push for the Senate investigations on the highly-controversial ZTE-NBN Deal to continue and finish. - To push for the repealing of Executive Order 464 which prevents Cabinet members from testifying at the Senate without the permission of the President. For ACCOUNTABILITY -To ensure that proper charges are filed against people whether inside or outside the government who have been part of the rampant graft and corruption which is happening in our government. -To lobby for the formation of an indepedent council that will investigate scams, scandals and controversies which involve the President and the First Family. For REFORM - To push for a more transparent Government Procurement system to ensure that we will no longer have controversial and flawed deals such as the ZTE-NBN Broadband Deal. - To push for electoral reforms such as the automation of elections, appointment of highly-qualified, ethical and clean COMELEC Commissioners and a stricter implementation on the regulation of election spending. - To push for the awarding of the land to the Sumilao Farmers and the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Team RP is composed of youth leaders and young professionals who believe in reform not rhetoric. It was formed as a response to an email I sent two weeks ago which asked, Where are the FilipinoYouth?, the concert last night showed us that indeed there are still many young Filipinos who want to make a difference in our society and who will no longer stand idly while our government continues to wreck our democratic institutions. Last night, many more young Filipinos joined Team RP and now, we also invite you to join us in making a stand for our country and our Future as we continue to work hard for a better Philippines. If you want to join Team RP, please send your complete name and contact information to Steph Cuevas at 0926-6255620 or email us at team.rp.official@gmail.com . Team RP would also like to give special thanks to Dr. Tony La Vi醇oa and the Ateneo School of Government, and the Administration of the Ateneo de Manila University for all the support that it has given us. To all those who went and took part in Team RP's Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform, thank you very much and we look forward to having you again in our future activities! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Mabuhay and Kabataang Pilipino! Posted by Sumilao on Feb 22, '08 11:15 PM for everyone SLB's Kwentong Bayan "EDSA Pa Nga!" A Forum on Philippine Democrary Ateneo Grade School Auditorium Feb. 23, 2008 1:00pm-5: Listen and Interact with : Sec. Ricardo Saludo, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Prof. Winnie Monsod The farmers are still staying in the Ateneo de Manila Univerisity Dormitory Rec Room. As of today, they are supposed to stay here until the 24th, but it may change. The farmers will be attending the "Kwentong Bayan" as participants (not speakers) and are hoping to be able to fully interact with the panelists there. This is very relevant to their case since the Secretary and Senetor is going to be present. First, they will be able to express their opinions and questions about why their case has been prolonged for so long.The Government could have dealt with their case so long before, but why has it been such a looooooooong process? Secondly, they would like to ask about why the Cease-and-Desist Order / Notice of Coverage has not been issued yet, and when that will be? Until now, even though the President issued the Land Conversion order and addressed that the 144 hectares is agricultural land, San Miguel's Hog Farm construction has not stopped yet. There are more buildings being built, hogs being imported from abroad into the construction sites, and even a guardhouse has been built inside the 144 hecs, but what is more, it is right in front of the Freedom Hall, the central place of gathering for the Sumilao Farmers. Furthermore, there are offers being made by San Miguel for the farmers to be employed without having to go through application. Asking these main question can also help the others present in the Forum to be updated on their case. If it is possible, they would also like to ask about the CARP extension. If there is no CARP extension, their "agricultural land" will lose legal support to be given back to them. Posted by Sumilao on Feb 18, '08 10:28 AM for everyone A Photo Exhibit of the Sumilao Farmers has been put up in Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City from last week. The photos were taken during their 1700km walk. Pictures can sometimes say more than words.... This photo exhibit not only shares about the Sumilao Farmers Walk for Land, Walk for Justice, but is also there to gain financial support so as to help them with their continuing negotiations. Financial need is especially needed for their transportation from Manila to Bukidnon and also the other way around. The photo exhibit will hopefully be moved to LaSalle University next. SUMILAO FARMERS PHOTO EXHIBIT@ Ateneo de Manila University MVP Building 1st floor (entrance) Posted by Sumilao on Feb 17, '08 10:57 AM for everyone February 17 na. It has been one month since the farmers have been in Manila. Not just the 12 in manila, but the others who have also been fighting in CDO DAR regional office. Time goes by so fast.Now the Jun Lozada case and ZTE-NBN Deal is the focus of Malacanang..when that first came out, i thought, " waaa...this is going to bring down the attention on the farmers..." But then, in our Community Organization class it was mentioned that these two cases should be dealt with together. and YES!! that is true. They both speak of the injustice done in the Philippine Government. But i do not see the two cases being brought up at a similar level (correct me if i am wrong). The Jun Lozada case is far more bigger, since there are more people that can relate to it i guess... sad, but it is the truth. Posted by Sumilao on Feb 17, '08 10:43 AM for everyone TODAY Feb. 17 - Today marked a month since the 12 Sumilao Farmers came back here in Manila. It has already been a month... Today the farmers left Ateneo early in the morning to go to Pentecoste Church and attended the mass from 6:00am- 8:00pm. At each mass they took turns speaking and had the people join them in their signature campaign. They also did that in Ateneo de Manila University until Friday, going around room to room, giving a talk to the students and having them sign a petition. Tomorrow, they will be going to Merium College and stay there overnight and 3 of them will be going back to Sumilao due to responsibilities in the Barangay or family situations that require them to be back at home. The focus is on the government and the Jun Lozada case right now, but the plight of the farmers are also related to this issue of JUSTICE needed to be done in Malacanang. Let us be aware of developments and movements that address the SOCIAL INJUSTICE being done in the nation. | |
