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WIN-WIN AT SUMILAO
The Philippine Star Even though the food conglomerate was confident in the legal decisions that were issued by the courts covering the ownership conflict of the 144 hectares of agricultural land in this small town north of Mindanao, it agreed to donate 50 hectares of the contested property to qualified farmer claimants plus another 94 hectares it plans to buy from an adjoining site. Rather than play hard ball, the SMFI-SMC leadership under its chairman, Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, and president, Ramon Ang, sought a solution that would be beneficial to both parties concerned. For the indigenous Higaonon farmers, this meant an end to more than 12 years of anxiety and grief that begun when they were issued Certificates of Land Ownership Awards by the Department of Agrarian Reform under the government's land reform program. For San Miguel, this ensured the completion and operation of its state-of-the-art P2.4 billion agro-industrial project, particularly its 8,800-sow level farrow-to-finish hog farm. We should all be happy, especially if we consider that the farm's operation would help stabilize hog supplies in the country, and bring down currently sky-high prices of pork to more reasonable levels. Convoluted legal system And yet, all this that has happened leaves me with some feeling of trepidation. The Sumilao land row brings to fore the convoluted legal system that we currently have – plus the fact that those who can afford lawyers will always have the upper hand in wittingly or unwittingly thwarting the just and moral intention of the law. For example, rather than have their land appropriated to the farmers, the original haciendero owners applied for, and were successfully granted by another government entity with the right to convert the contested 144 hectares of land from agricultural to agro-industrial use. Even the Supreme Court had denied the Higaonons their plea, thus upholding the land conversion ploy and eventually paving the way for the original land owners to sell the property to San Miguel. I am filled with dread thinking that a repeat of the same, involving a less flexible, patient and generous investor, would have invoked a not-so happy ending. One of the farmers in the hunger strike who committed suicide in protest over the Supreme Court's decision would just have died in vain. Abuse of media Then again, there is something not entirely correct when media is used to force an issue to a resolution, to a settlement of sorts outside the halls of justice, especially if it is not entirely on just grounds. My sentiment goes to the farmers who were promised a piece of land under the government's agrarian reform program, and were later outwitted. But why shouldn't we feel resentment for the slandered company that had been invited by the local government to invest in the disputed land? After all the publicity that was generated by the case, what would stop other similar groups from employing the same tactics to pressure or harass other legitimate investors and business enterprises who are appropriating their money to do business in the country? Worse, what would prevent malicious vested interests from exploiting an issue to gain something else by simply expressing sympathy and extending help to the “abused masses?” Moving on It is but proper for those who have helped the Sumilao farmers to follow through on this victory by demanding from the government the much-needed technical and financial support that will help transform the former land tenants into successful farm owners. While activists and religious groups have had an important role of helping impoverished farmers attain justice in wrongdoings, they must be made aware that much more work is required in terms of procuring crop loans, building feeder roads, acquiring agricultural technologies, and establishing marketing networks. Now that the Sumilao farmers have their land, will these activists and religious groups continue in the more tedious challenge of demanding proper support from government? Dissecting CARP During the last two decades, the government's Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or CARP has not managed to produce any significant impact from its avowed mandate to emancipate our landless farmer tenants, and in the process, to help boost the country's agriculture and food production. Will our Sumilao farmers suffer the same fate as millions of their brethren who, after several years of vainly trying to earn a living from the land, were forced to sell their agriculture lots? We don't need to be reminded of studies conducted by those involved in CARP that unless there is appropriate, ample and sustained technical and support services from the government, farmer-beneficiaries would not be able to effectively develop their lands. It would really be ironical if the Sumilao farmers, in a couple of years, would turn back to San Miguel and sell the land that had been given them. Perhaps it would be a really good idea for our legislators to put CARP to rest when its effectivity expires next year. Windfall benefits While we dread what the future has in store for our newly “emancipated” Sumilao farmers, there is some comfort in the realization that San Miguel has decided to stay in the municipality even with all the bad publicity it has reaped. For one, corn farmers in the area are looking forward to trading with the food conglomerate. Too long have they been exploited by unscrupulous middlemen who buy their produce at ridiculously low prices. Many Sumilao residents are now aspiring to find direct work in San Miguel's hog farm, or be a partner of the food conglomerate in any of the indirect businesses emanating from the project. Best of all, the mayor of Sumilao proudly announces to visitors that the land and spanking new Sumilao National High School Annex in Barangay San Vicente was built through the advance taxes that San Miguel had paid. Some 400 students are now enrolled and looking forward to a brighter future. Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center,
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