BMFI

Nov. 23 press release:
Sumilao farmers, unstoppable despite Typhoon Mina

The onslaught of typhoon Lando, and now the fiercer threat of typhoon Mina, did not deter the spirit of the embattled Sumilao farmers to proceed with their walk and arrive at Malacañang by December 10.

As early as 4 a.m. today, the farmers started to walk from barangay Tabugon, Tagkawayan, Camarines Norte, where they rested last night.

They are supposed to stay at Calauag tonight, but the news that it will be hit by Mina forced the farmers to proceed instead to Gumaca, Quezon province. Thus, after having walked 17 kilometers, they only rested for a while and hurriedly ate their breakfast.

Gumaca is 50 kilometers from Tabugon, which makes their walk today as the longest and most risky. They mustered their strength to triple their pace in order to arrive at Gumaca by late afternoon and escape the forecasted damage of Mina.

The Sumilao farmers have been walking for more than 40 days within which period they gathered the support of the peasant federations, civil society organizations, priests, religious and lay persons, bishops, local government officials, academic institutions, and peoples' organizations across the country.

Yet despite the overwhelming support, they have not received a word from Malacañang, nor from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), from which they expect help. "This is supposed to be a simple case because the facts are very clear, the law is very categorical, and the DAR could have immediately acted on the matter," said Atty. Arlene J. Bag-ao, counsel of the Sumilao
farmers.

According to her, there is no question that there is a patent violation of the conversion order by the Norberto Quisumbing Sr. Management Development Council (NQSRMDC) because it failed to develop the area within five years from the approval of said conversion order. Even the DAR regional office, she added, attests to such fact and further recommends to DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman for the urgent coverage of the 144 hectares under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

But the farmers know that beyond legal battle, they must express their sentiments to the government in manner that would show how precious the land is for them. Thus, despite the
silence and inaction of DAR, they continue to keep on walking in the hope of finally recovering the 144 hectares.

In a press statement, Mr. Danny Buclasan, one of the speakers of the Sumilao farmers, said, "The support and solidarity we receive from various sectors is enough to inspire us never to give up with our hope of reclaiming our land."

After walking for almost 15 hours, the Sumilao farmers finally reached Gumaca at around 6 p.m. tonight.