December 12, 2008

HUNGER STRIKING FARMERS HIT DAR’S CAVALIER ATTITUDE ON HACIENDA BACAN CASE

Farmers from Negros Occidental who are on their 12^th day of hunger strike in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) have criticized Secretary Nasser Pangandaman for alleged cavalier attitude toward the land distribution case of Hacienda Bacan, saying the secretary was doing nothing and lacked any sense of urgency despite their failing health.

Task Force Mapalad president Jose Rodito Angeles said they were disappointed that Pangandaman failed to present to President Arroyo the Bacan case in the cabinet meeting last Wednesday.

When asked what will happen to the Bacan case, Pangandaman reportedly said that it would be up to the Land Registration Authority whether or not it would be willing to register the certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) of the 67 farmer-beneficiaries of the 157-hectare hacienda, according to Angeles.

The LRA and the Register of Deeds of Bacolod City have refused to register the CLOA, a requirement prior to formal awarding of land to farmer-beneficiaries, on ground that the certificate of cash deposit released by the Land Bank of the Philippines was issued in the name of Rivulet Agro-Industrial Corporation, the declared corporate owner of Hacienda Bacan, and not in the name of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

Tension arose among the hunger strikers last Friday as a platoon of riot-control policemen arrived and took position inside the premises of DAR.

DAR sources reportedly said, however, that the deployment of policemen inside DAR was a precaution against the ongoing anti-Charter Change protest rallies.

Angeles said the health of the hunger strikers continues to deteriorate, but they are not lifting their protest until Hacienda Bacan, located in Barangay Guintubhan, Isabela, is distributed to the farmer-beneficiaries.

He said that Alexander Celis had lost 11 lbs, from 112 to 101 lbs; Romeo Pidoy lost 7 lbs, from 107 to 100 lbs; Irene Celis 6 lbs, from 114 to 108 lbs; Rogelio Salva 9 lbs, from 134 to 125 lbs; Bonifacio Alguna lost 4 pounds from 114 lbs to 110and Salestiano Pacesola 12 lbs, from 145 to 133 lbs. Angeles  lost lost 7 pounds from 114 lbs to 108 lbs.

Last week, Irene Celis collapsed and was brought to East Avenue Medical Center, but rejoined the hunger strike after being revived. Two others Romeo Pidoy, Jose Rodito Angeles were brought to the same hospital, but rejoined the protest. At the CARP Extension rally last 10 December, Bonifacio Alguna experienced extreme dizziness but refused to be taken to the hospital. —(30)