BMFI

Day 15 update
Footprints in the Sand: Sumilao Farmers' Footprints from Sumilao to Surigao City
24 October 2007

For 14 days, the Sumilao Farmers traveled for a total of 250 kilometers, passing through the provinces of Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, a number of cities, municipalities and almost 100 barangays. For 14 days, the 54 marchers (now 50) journeyed side by side and along with various support groups and individuals.

Rain or shine, the march of the Sumilao Farmers was not that easy but they still felt happy because along with them, different organizations and individuals obviously were there supporting them, either with them walking or from their respective places doing other things in support of the cause of the march.

…When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.

Yesterday, as they were about to conclude their journey in Mindanaw and moving into Visayas, they stopped for a while and reflected what had happened for the past 14 days during their walk for the whole stretch of the Mindanaw leg. In the morning, they went to church, thanked God and asked for continued guidance. They conducted a medical mission sponsored by Reach Foundation, Inc. (RFI) and Philippine Medical Association of Surigao City.

During the program, some leaders of the Sumilao farmers once again shared the history of their struggle and the rationale behind the 60-day walk to Malacañang. After which, representatives from different support groups gave their message of support and inspiration. Before they concluded the short program, Bayang Barrios, a renowned alternative folk artist/singer, rendered four beautiful songs especially dedicated to the Sumilao farmers, support groups and their cause of fighting against human rights violation in whatever form.

For the period of 14 days, some of the marchers were forced to go home for one reason or another. From the 54 original marchers, 50 were able to reach the first municipality of Visayas, Liloan, Southern Leyte.

They also noticed that from the very beginning, various groups and individuals were consistently and continuously supporting their struggle. There never was a time that the footprints, on all the streets they walked on through the four provinces, were only those of the marchers. All the time, the support was overwhelming and inspiring.

As they continued to reflect, they reviewed and enumerated those who from the start and up to this date were and still are on their side. They realized, they could never have come this far, had it not been with the support of these people. Among others, they are:

• National and local media practitioners (ABS-CBN, PDI, Sun Star, Gold Star, DXRD in Gingoog City) who consistently carried the farmers’ stories, airing and publishing them in their respective institutions’ program or paper;
• Balay Mindanaw Group of NGOs (BMG) -- consisting of Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), Resource Center for Empowerment and Development (RCED), Balay Dabaw Sur, Inc. (BDSI) and Balay Alternative Legal Advocates for Development in Mindanaw (BALAOD Mindanaw) -- which even before the start of the walk were there with the Sumilao farmers assisting them in all the preparations and other activities. In fact, the BMG was already there even before, during and after the 1997 28-day hunger strike that was simultaneously held in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) national office and in Magsaysay Park, Cagayan de Oro City;
• PAKISAMA provided several support to the marchers even before the start of the walk. They sent a representative from their organization to assist the marchers in their documentation;
• Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN) and KAISAHAN Tungo sa Kaunlaran para sa Repormang Pang-Agraryo (KAISAHAN), together with BALAOD Mindanaw, were and still are assisting the Sumilao farmers in different forms, particularly in their legal battle and preparation and groundworking;
• Fr. Alexander Borres of the Parish of Bugo, Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Magniniyog sa Pilipinas (KAMMPIL)-Misamis Oriental, students and parishioners of Bugo and many more, who accompanied the Sumilao farmers when they reached Brgy. Bugo;
• Alternative Law Groups, particularly the Northern and Southern Mindanaw Cluster and NATTCO, who welcomed and accompanied the marchers when they had a short program at the Capitol grounds;
• Niko Maestre of KAMMPIL-MisOr and Myrna Abionawan-Siose of Conversation for their inspiring message of support during the program held at the Capitol grounds;
• Fr. Hose Cabantan, Executive Director of the Social Action Center of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City, who conducted the mass at the Capitol grounds;
• Guadalupe Parish and its local community, who ensured the food of the marchers in Jampason Beach Resort, Jasaan;
• Dra. Grace Bag-ao, who is taking good care of the health of the marchers;
• Other farmer organizations who joined them in most of their leg in the province of Misamis Oriental;
• Sta. Ines, Talisayan, Parish Church and BMFI SIADOs in Misamis Oriental who organized the locals and farmer organizations as the marchers negotiated the roads in this province;
• BMFI Gingoog ABOT, Father Joel Lozar and some other POs in Gingoog City who gave warm welcome and hospitality when the marchers were in Gingoog City.
• Candiis Elementary School, particularly the teachers who voluntarily prepared snacks for the marchers and spared their time talking to the farmers;
• National coalitions like AR Now!, the Alternative Law Groups, Phildhrra, AFA, ICCO Mindanaw Partners for continuously elevating the Sumilao farmers' struggle in Mindanaw in the national and international arena;
• ALTERDEV and their staff, SAC Butuan, SOFA-Agusan, PAKISAMA Agusan, PAFASMA, KAMMPE, GAMACE, HEED, KAIBAN and LSG-FSUU, LSG-FSUU, St. Ann Parish, AGOFAFED, MASIPAG, Tubay Environmentalists Association, MSM, BUFAFED, Cuyago Women's Organization and Cuyago Rice Farmers Collective who provided comfort and other assistance to the Sumilao farmers;
• St. Peter and Paul Parish and their catechists, Father Martinee Lagao of MST Congregation in Camiguin, Marga Farmer Irrigator Association;
• Chairperson and members of Barangay Agrarian Reform Council (BARC) of Brgy. Quezon, Surigao City, St. Vincent Ferrer Parish Church, Reach Foundation, Inc. (RFI), Bayang Barrios, Father Briggs Udtujan, Sister Bing Aquilino, Father Joseph of Lipata Parish, Arcellin Napalan and Father Cornelio Turraja of Padada Davao del Sur;
• In the preparation for the Visayas leg, with KAISAHAN were DAR Region 8 led by RD Homer Tobias, Provincial Agrarian Reform Officers (PAROs), Municipal Agrarian Reform Officers (MAROs), Parish Priests, Father Feme (SAC Director in the Diocese of Maasin), Fr. Carlo Curacut of Silago, Father Croft Climaco of Hinunangan, Father Boy Vega and Father Manuel Lagumbay of St. Bernard, and Benepisyaryo sa Repormang Mag-uuma sa Ormoc, Kahugpungan sa Mag-uumang Ormocanon (BRAMO and KAMAO);
• The unnamed boy who joined and walked with the marchers for two kilometers from Candiis Elementary School and the three individuals (2 farmers and 1 old lady)who each gave 1 kilo of rice while the Sumilao Farmers were walking; and
• Other groups and individuals, particularly the thousands of by-standers who gave moral, financial and other kind support.

Most probably, this update forgot to mention the names of the groups and other individuals. BALAOD Mindanaw would like to apologize, but we likewise want to encourage everyone to call our attention and provide comments and suggestions as we intend to provide you everyday updates as regards the struggle of the Sumilao farmers.

The Sumilao Farmers cannot articulate how grateful they are for the overwhelming support coming from groups and individuals. But indeed, you support will not lead to nothing. The fight of the Sumilao farmers to reclaim their land is likewise the fight of every farmer across the country whose rights are being infringed upon by those who are in power.

The struggle of the Sumilao farmers will not end as long as the rights of the marginalized sectors, identities and local communities are not respected, promoted, protected and fulfilled.

In unity, let's fight against human rights violations and reclaim our dignity!

          Restore the dignity of the Sumilao Farmers!

          Recognize the need for a National Land Use Policy to protect Agricultural Lands
          from massive conversions!

Today, they are currently negotiating the roads from the Municipality of Liloan to St. Bernard where they will spend the night and BRAMO and KAMAO, together with Lao Fisherfolk Organization and Sytan Sorority, will still accompany the Sumilao farmers.