BMFI

It's Bicol Express for the Sumilao Farmers
11 November 2007

The struggle of the Sumilao farmers in claiming their 144-hectare land has inspired other farmer organizations to continue the struggle of the whole peasantry in the country.

Yesterday, the farmers negotiated a stretch of 27 kilometers from the municipality of Matnog to Irosin. While on their way to Irosin, several farmer organizations (SANDIGAN, PAKISAMA, HSAI, PINAGSAMA and SAFSCO) waited for the Sumilao farmers to join their march. It was the first time, after two years, when these organizations come together and organize a collective activity. Having been convened, they felt that they are a great force, and would have louder voice if they are together. Thus, they realized that they should do this kind of collective action more often, especially on issues where they share the same ideals and principles.

During their sharing, the Sumilao farmers and the farmers who joined the march were all in agreement that the strengthening of the support groups is crucial in the success of the struggle. The Sumilao farmers shared that the 60-day walk from Bukidnon to Manila may be related to a human body. Danny Buclasan, one of the Sumilao farmers' leaders, said that his group may be regarded as the head of this peaceful action, but they cannot proceed nor succeed without the active participation of the support groups, which may be considered as their body. Indeed, since they share the same advocacy, they need to coordinate and unite.

Now, on their second day of walking in Luzon, the support from the church, civil society organizations, peasant federations, and local governments are overwhelming.

The DAR in the province, like its provincial offices in Mindanao and Visayas, also visited the Sumilao farmers. The marchers, particularly Yoyong Merida, president of San Vicente Landless Farmers Association (SALFA), was informed by an employee of the department that they have a scholarship program; that this program is one of the support services of the department intended to uplift the status of the small farmers. The marchers responded that they all know of such program. They believe such scholarship program is a form of support to the farmers, but they also stressed that, though they need the program, what they need more is an urgent action from the department to respond to their calls, namely:

Restore the Dignity of the Sumilao Farmers!

• Revoke the Conversion Order!
• Reclaim the Land!
• Reform and Extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)!
• Recognize the need for a National Land Use Law!

Meanwhile, the support groups gave their respective messages of support to the Sumilao farmers. The messages delved on the similarities of their issues and problems; that they admire the perseverance and determination of the Sumilao Farmers; and that all of them support the struggle of the marchers.

Also, the Sumilao farmers observed that the locals of Matnog to Irosin were knowledgeable, in fact well-versed, in agrarian reform issues. Their discussion was lively because most of them freely shared their ideas and insights.

By nightfall, the marchers proceeded to San Mateo Hot and Cold Resort located at Brgy. Monbon, Irosin. They were surprised to see that there were high school students from the School of Holy Spirit who were waiting for their arrival. The marchers were moved when the students handed them rosaries. They spent time to talk with the students and explain the whole story of their walk.

A mass was also celebrated, organized by Sister Frances Grace and some other sisters from the Congregation of Holy Spirit. The Sumilao farmers were surprised to know that 10 years ago, Sister Grace joined them once in their hunger strike in front of the DAR National Office in Quezon City. They were inspired that until now, after 10 years, Sister Grace and the rest of the sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit still believe and support their struggle.

Before going to bed, the Sumilao farmers swam in the spring. Most of them chose the warm and relaxing effect of the hot spring, while some, particularly the younger ones, went for the cold water.

Revisiting the case of the Sumilao Farmers: Quisumbing and/or SMFI Changed the Authorized Use of the Land

To make things worse, the Quisumbings once more fooled the Sumilao farmers by selling the 144-hectare ancestral land to San Miguel Foods, Inc. (SMFI), the biggest conglomerate in the country owned by no less than Danding Cojuangco.

Such act only reveals that Quisumbing either did not have the interest nor the capacity to implement the approved agro-industrial plan. It could be surmised that Quisumbing did not plan to develop the said land in the first place. Otherwise, changes or improvements would have taken place immediately. Rather, Quisumbing fought the fight of converting the land so it could be sold at a good price to SMFI. The plan was evidently made to avoid the coverage of the land from CARP.

SMFI, through its sister company Monterey Livestock Farm, plans to put up a 144-hectare piggery with 162 buildings to house 4,400 female pigs and 44,000 piglets. The conditions of the Conversion Order issued by the Office of the President, specifically the implementation of the BAIDA development plan, were conveniently disregarded. Considering that SMFI is a mere successor-in-interest of Quisumbing, the conditions of the Conversion Order clearly binds the former as provided by DAR Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2002:

"Section 33. Conditions of Conversion Order. The approval of the application for conversion order shall be subject to the following conditions:

The landowner and future landowners(s) of the property approved for conversion shall not change its use to another use not authorized under the Conversion Order without prior consent from the DAR.

It shall be limited to the specific use of the land authorized in the Conversion Order .

Such act of illegally converting the land to a piggery farm which is completely different from the authorized use according to the application and the approved Conversion Order is another serious violation which needs to be addressed in accordance with law and justice.

Based on the foregoing, SMFI has grossly and willfully committed violations on laws and other issuances on land conversion, specifically, DAR Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 1990 in relation to DAR Administrative Order No. 2, Series of 1990, DAR Administrative Order No. 12, Series of 1994 (Consolidated and Revised Rules and Regulations Governing Conversion of Agricultural Lands to Non-Agricultural Uses), and DAR Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2002. Without doubt, the violations are grounds for the immediate revocation of the Conversion Order given to Quisumbing and his successor-in-interest SMFI:

"Section 47. Grounds – The following acts or omissions shall warrant revocation of the Conversion Order:

Non-compliance with the conditions of the Conversion Order;
Conversion to a use other than that authorized in the Conversion Order. "

The Fellowship of the 144-hectare Land in Sumilao

So many people to thank for what had happened yesterday. To name a few, the Sumilao farmers would like to thank the solidarity of SANDIGAN, PAKISAMA, HSAI, PINAGSAMA, SAFSCO, Congregation of Holy Spirit Sisters and the high school students of the Holy Spirit School. They also would like to thank the owner/s of the San Mateo Hot and Cold Resort for providing the Sumilao farmers a place to stay.

There were other unnamed faces who appeared yesterday to show their solidarity. To them, the marchers would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude.

Today

Today, they are negotiating a 37-kilometer road from Irosin to Sorsogon City with the Kilusan ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).