BMFI

Sumilao farmers update
Which Way Home?
26 October 2007

Yesterday (25 October 2007), the 50 farmers and support groups along with the 80 farmers and youth of Ormoc began walking at around 5:00 a.m. The Ormoc contingent -- which consists of members of Benepisyaryo sa Repormang Mag-uuma sa Ormoc (BRAMO), Kahugpungan sa Mag-uumang Ormocanon (KAMAO), Lao Fisherfolks Organization (LFO) and Systans Sorority -- joined the Sumilao farmers halfway to the municipality of St. Bernard. Father Toto Gempeson, officers and other personnel of DAR in the province of Southern Leyte, and some locals from the municipality of Liloan likewise joined the walk.

Before they parted ways, they conducted a short program where messages of support from the Ormoc contingent filled the hearts of the Sumilao farmers. BRAMO-KAMAO stressed that they share the same sentiments with the farmers and acknowledged that the struggle of the Sumilao farmers is the same struggle of every landless farmer across the country. That the sacrifice of walking 1,500 kilometers for at least 60 days, if given preferential attention by the current administration, will guarantee the improvement of the country's agrarian reform program.

When they concluded the program, it was time to part ways. Two roads divide the Sumilao farmers and the Ormoc contingent – one way going to the municipality of St. Bernard while the other leading to the homes of the Ormoc contingent.

The Sumilao farmers continued their walk going to the municipality of St. Bernard. They journeyed for a total of 27 kilometers.

Meanwhile, the Ormoc contingent followed the road towards home. But as they walked towards home, their walk became slower and their body, heavier. They couldn’t help taking another glimpse at the Sumilao farmers, who will take days and weeks and even months before they can go back to their homes, while the Ormoc contingent will be home soon enough, in just a matter of hours. This was when the situation became ironic. Members of the Ormoc contingent should have been happy because they would be with their families in their homes soon, and would be tilling their lands once again in no time. But knowing what lies ahead for the Sumilao farmers, it was a heart-rending moment for the Ormoc group, particularly for the members of BRAMO-KAMAO.

For the Sumilao farmers, it was very tempting to choose the path back home, to be back in the farm, to enjoy the comforts of home. But none of them chose the easier way. They all walked for 13 kilometers more to complete the 27-kilometer walk to St. Bernard, earning a few more kilometers for their 1,500-kilometer journey from Sumilao to Malacañang.

Revisiting the Sumilao land

The Higaonon indigenous cultural communities were the early settlers of a piece of ancestral land in Sumilao, Bukidnon. The 855-hectare ancestral land served as the seat of government of the Higaonons where the traditional "paghiusay" (conflict resolution) and "pamuhat" (rituals) were conducted by the Higaonon tribal council led by Apo Manuagay Anlicao and Apo Mangganiahon Anlicao. The ancestral land is a flat agricultural terrain situated in the midst of Mt. Sayawan and Mt. Palaopao, and where Mt. Kitanglad can be seen from afar. It was once called as “pinetreehon” by the visitors due to the abundance of pine trees all over the place and the cold temperature. Magbabaya (Supreme Being) gave this "balaang yuta" (holy land) to the Higaonon communities.

Then the Angeleses came in the 1940s, forcibly evicting the Higaonons from a 244-hectare portion of their ancestral land and converted it into a cattle ranch. The land was later transferred to the Ilagans. In the 1970s, the ancestral land was divided between two landowners: 100 hectares were allotted to Salvador Carlos while 144 hectares were transferred to Norberto Quisumbing Sr. Both lands were eventually leased to Del Monte Philippines, Inc, (DMPI) for 10 years until 1994. At that time, the Higaonons became farm workers of the land they once owned.

With the advent of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law (CARL) in 1998, the 144-hectare ancestral land was covered for distribution to 137 members of the Mapadayonong Panaghiusa sa mga Lumad Alang sa Damlag (MAPALAD), all of Higaonon lineage. Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) were subsequently issued to them, hence, recognizing their ownership of the 144-hectare ancestral land which rightfully belongs to them. What followed next was a controversial legal battle that sparked national interest reflecting the sad state of agrarian reform in the country.

Yesterday, we enumerated the numerous partners of the Mindanaw leg of the Sumilao farmers "Walk for Land, Walk for Justice." Please accept our apology because some organizations and individuals were not mentioned. Those we forgot to mention, and in addition to the long list friends of the Sumilao farmers, are the following: Medina Parish, Gingoog paralegals, SAMCO, Kasapi Women's Association of Brgy. Kapitulangan, KPMFI, Gingoog District Hospital, Department of Agrarian Reform-Gingoog, PAHA of Sta. Rita Parish, Magsaysay Parish, and Brgy. Kibungsod, Marlea Muñez of WISE, and Paping and Kim for the video documentaries and uploading to YouTube.

We would like to thank again the new friends of Sumilao farmers in Southern Leyte who provided them food and assistance for the whole day of walk. These were the St. Bernard Parish, Parish of Hinundayan thru Fr. Nestor Estillo, Parish of Hinunangan thru Fr. Cruf Climaco, Benepisyaryo sa Repormang Mag-uuma sa Ormoc (BRAMO), Kahugpungan sa Mag-uumang Ormocanon (KAMAO), Lao Fisherfolks Organization (LFO), Systans Sorority, Father Toto Gempeson, officers and other personnel of DAR, and the provincial and municipal governments of Southern Leyte. We would like again to acknowledge the full time support of KAISAHAN.

Upon writing this update…

The Sumilao farmers are negotiating the roads of St. Bernard to Silago with a total distance of 49 kilometers. Tomorrow they will pass the municipality of Silago heading to Abuyog for another 32 kilometers.