BMFI

Sumilao farmers update
Sworn to Justice
27 October 2007

"We have gone this far… We're almost there… Don't give up… I can't carry your burden… But I can carry you!", these were the words of Samwise Gamgee to Frodo Baggins when they were about to reach Mt. Doom where Frodo have to cast the ring into the fire of Mordor and end the tyranny of Sauron…

Yesterday's journey (26 October 2007) of the Sumilao farmers was the most difficult, tiring and longest of their entire walk, at least for the past 17 days. From St. Bernard to Hinundayan (22 kilometers), to Hinonangan (10 kilometers), and to Silago (17 kilometers), for a total of 42 kilometers, the marchers negotiated the roads of the four municipalities where no houses can be seen but only rain forests. They traveled from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. In the morning, the weather was very hot and humid. And when the sun started to set, rain began to fall.

At night, the marchers have to be extra careful because they were walking only with flashlights, aided by the moon. It was really dark. Aside from their footsteps and rare conversation among marchers, all they can hear were the sound of the wind kissing their faces and the humming of the crickets and other forest creatures.

Considering their past experience during the walk in the provinces of Misamis Oriental and Agusan del Norte where they observed several masked motor riders apparently conducting surveillance, plus the many unresolved extra-judicial killing of activists, some marchers admitted that they can't help but be paranoid. But they have also become more vigilant. Farmers have been among the target of the extra-judicial killings. Not to mention the recent enactment of the Human Security Act (yet another manifestation of the current administration's political insecurity). The government is thus itching to test this law and, as always, the poor and marginalized sectors, the Sumilao farmers among them, are most vulnerable to this kind of oppression. The whole stretch of yesterday's walk could have been a great opportunity for state terrorism. Fortunately, nothing happened.

The highlight of yesterday's walk was when four of the marchers fainted. Elgine Merida, 21, daughter of Mapalad Multi-Purpose Cooperative president Samuel “Toto” Merida, fainted at around 11 a.m. in Hinundayan. The doctor said it was because of stomach ache and fatigue. The marchers proceeded their walk with Toto and three other marchers carrying Elgine using malong and bamboo pole.

Later, Rosalinda Batasin-in, 37, fainted. Like Elgine, she was carried in a makeshift stretcher made of sack tied to bamboo pole. Then two of the marchers, Miraflor Rojo, 32, and Benjamin Dagsaon, got tired and too weak. Fellow farmers carried them while the rest proceeded to walk.

They all swore to achieve justice as they reclaim their land. And this burden has become too personal for each of the marchers. One cannot carry the burden of the other. That's why like Samwise Gamgee when Frodo can no longer stand up and continue to walk, the other marchers carried Elgine, Rosalinda, Miraflor, and Benjamin as they continue to fight for justice.

It would still be a long way going home. They still have to pass several provinces, a few islands even, on their way to Malacañang, and perhaps to the central office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), to register their sentiments and directly claim their land through the concerned agencies and authorities. For sure, they will face even worse challenges along their path. But these challenges will certainly not hamper their determination to achieve justice.

They are not asking for anyone's pity. What they need is true justice that the government and other influential individuals took from them.

They are not greedy. All they want is to enjoy their ancestral land, which in the first place is legally theirs. They are now in Southern Leyte and will continue to walk as they intend to reach Malacañang and claim the 144-hectare land in Sumilao.

Revisiting the 144-hectare landholding in Sumilao: The BAIDA Development Plan

In a move apparently done to circumvent agrarian reform, Quisumbing connived with the Sangguniang Bayan of Sumilao, which, in March 1993, illegally passed Resolution No. 24 titled "Resolution Converting the 144 Hectares of Land Situated at San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon with the Following Technical Description as S.A. No V-12660, TCT-14371 under Cadastral Lot No. H-Plan-LC792 owned by Norberto Quisumbing Sr. Management and Development Corporation from Agricultural to Industrial/Institutional Areas." Resolution No. 24 was subsequently affirmed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bukidnon, allowing the conversion of the 144-hectare agricultural land to agro-industrial.

Quisumbing also applied for conversion of the land in December 1993 from agricultural to agro-industrial before the DAR Secretary notwithstanding the fact that the 144-hectare land, being a prime agricultural land, is non-negotiable for conversion. Quisumbing proudly presented its development plan otherwise known as the Bukidnon Agro-Industrial Development Association (BAIDA) project, which proposed the following:

• Development Academy of Mindanao, which constitutes the following: Institute for Continuing Higher Education; Institute for Livelihood Science (Vocational and Technical School); Institute for Agribusiness Research; Museum, Library, Cultural Center and Mindanao Sports Development Complex which covers an area of 24 hectares;
   
• Bukidnon Agro-Industrial Park, which consist of corn processing for corn oil, corn starch, various products; rice processing for wine, rice-based snacks, exportable rice; cassava processing for starch, alcohol and food delicacies; processing plants, fruits and fruit products such as juices; processing plants for vegetables processed and prepared food market; cold storage and ice plant; cannery system; commercial stores; public market, and abattoir needing about 67 hectares;
   
• Forest development include open spaces and parks for recreation, horse-back riding, memorial and animals (mini zoo) estimated to cover 33 hectares;
   
• Support facilities include the construction of a hotel (360 rooms), restaurants, dormitories and housing project covering an area of 20 hectares;
   
• Mindanao Sports Development complex that includes facilities that shall qualify for international competitions such as track-and-field oval, baseball and softball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools, equestrian court, games of chance, billiard, bowling, etc.; and
   
• Commercial mall.

A careful perusal of the facts would show that NQSRMDC failed to comply with the strict regulations on conversion of agricultural lands. The proposed hog project by San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI) is very different from the approved development plan by the NQSRMDC.

The Sumilao Farmers would like to thank West Leyte Development Foundation Center, Inc. for their support and assistance in mobilizing and networking Visayas support groups. Likewise for the continued assistance of the three priests in the municipalities of St. Bernard, Hinundayan and Hinanongan, Father Manuel Lagumbay, Father Cruf Climaco and Father Nestor Estillo. They facilitated the smooth flow of the walk and the places where the marchers rested and had their meals for the past three days.

Tired and weak due to yesterday's long walk, they are now having rest in the municipality of Silago. Tomorrow, they will endure the 32-kilometer distance from Silago to Abuyog.