Over 200 farmers attend ‘Makabayang Pagbabago’ forum in Tarlac (Sabong News)
Author
Charie Mae F. Abarca
Date
APRIL 02 2022
A total of 250 farmers from Hacienda Murcia and Hacienda Tinang in Capas, Tarlac and Zaragosa, Nueva Ecija attended the “Makabayang Pagbabago” forum in Concepcion, Tarlac, said peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).
The forum was held to discuss pressing issues that farmers face in terms of land ownership and their rights.
Among the issues raised was the long-awaited designation of 234 farmers and Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) beneficiaries at Hacienda Tinang. Farmers also denounced San Miguel Corporation’s decision to turn 100 hectares of agricultural land in Hacienda Murcia into a residential area.
“Higit 90 pamilya ang nakikinabang ngayon sa bungkalang ginagawa ng mga magbubukid sa lugar (More than 90 families are now benefiting from the cultivation done by farmers in the area),” said KMP on Friday, April 1.
Meanwhile, KMP reiterated that Central Luzon is one of the most-affected areas following the development projects brought by the government’s Build, Build, Build program.
“Sa nakaraang mga taon ay daan-daang magsasaka na ang [pinalayas] sa kanilang mga lupang sakahan kapalit ng mga proyektong imprastraktura ng gobyerno (In the previous years, hundreds of farmers have been evicted from their farm lands in exchange for government infrastructure projects),” said KMP.
The peasant group previously called on the national government to prioritize and develop domestic agriculture, adding that the majority of the Philippine population rely on agriculture and fisheries for livelihood.
