BMFI

Jan. 5 update:
DAR Refuses to Issue Notice of Coverage and Cease and Desist Order

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – To protest the refusal of DAR to issue a notice of coverage and cease and desist order, the farmers camped at the office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Macanhan, Cagayan de Oro City.

During their previous dialogues, Regional Director John Maruhom promised the farmers that once the conversion order is revoked, he will not hesitate to issue a notice of coverage.

But when the farmers asked Maruhom for his promised notice of coverage last December 20, two days after the Office of the President (OP) revoked the conversion order, Maruhom said that the farmers should not "literally" interpret what he said before. This time, he said that he will have to wait for the date when the OP order will become final.

Thus, on January 3, the day after the OP order was supposed to become final and executory, the Sumilao farmers once again went to the DAR regional office to ask Maruhom to issue a notice of coverage and cease and desist order. Maruhom however insisted that said OP order has not yet become final and executory since there is still no order of finality from the OP.

Maruhom's equivocal stance disappointed the Sumilao farmers and their support groups.

"It is about time that the DAR should exercise its political will by issuing the notice of coverage," said Arlene J. Bag-ao, counsel of the Sumilao farmers. She further added that DAR should also issue a cease and desist order since it is clear from the OP's revocation order that the ongoing construction of the hog farm is illegal.

Maruhom's stance forced farmers to set up camp at the DAR regional office

With Maruhom's refusal to issue a notice of coverage and cease and desist order, the Sumilao farmers have decided to have an encampment at the office of DAR Region 10.

"Since RD Maruhom insists that he will have to wait for the order to become final, we have decided to help him wait. We will have to stay here until the notice of coverage and cease and desist order shall be issued," said Rene Penas, paralegal officer of the Sumilao farmers.

Penas, however, made it clear that there is really no need for DAR to wait for the order to become final if it is really interested to seriously implement its program.

The farmers have already set up their tent inside the DAR office. But they are advised by Maruhom to transfer their encampment outside the DAR office on Monday (January 7) because they might scare away the other "clients" of DAR.

Bishops Pacana and Ledesma support the new episode of protest

Before embarking on their protest, the farmers had the blessing and support of Bishop Honesto Pacana, Archbishop of Malaybalay City.

"We embarked on this mode of struggle unafraid and confident because we have the blessing of our very own Bishop," said Peter Tuminhay.

According to Tuminhay, Bishop Pacana himself suggested that the Sumilao farmers could exert pressure against DAR by picketing in its office, or at any strategic place in Cagayan de Oro City.

Bishop Pacana also wrote a letter to President Arroyo asking her to issue a notice of coverage, and to express his disappointment over the decision of the OP for its failure to issue a cease and desist order.

Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma is also supportive of their protest. He said that the diocese is open for any help that the farmers need to be successful in this stage of their protest. In particular, he advised the farmers to go to the parish of Balulang and Carmen, as well as to the Social Action Center of the diocese for their immediate needs.

Also, the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) itself has taken the cudgels of the Sumilao farmers to ensure that justice shall be delivered to them.

The Sumilao farmers also elicited the support of the local government of Cagayan de Oro City. In particular, Hon. Vicente Emano of Cagayan de Oro City publicly supports them. He gave the Sumilao farmers two sacks of rice when he visited them yesterday (January 4). Vice Mayor Emano was the former mayor of the city.

He also promised the Sumilao farmers that he will try to talk to President Arroyo and plead their case when she will visit the city on January 7 or 11.