Under CARP, Sumilao farmers have to pay San Miguel P2.4 billion!”-KMP

Gloria decision doomed farmers to indebtedness

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) pointed out a stark reality under the current land reform program as many quarters are happy with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s order to return the 144 hectare Sumilao land to the farmers. According to Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, chairman of KMP and concurrent president of ANAKPAWIS party list, “under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) the Sumilao farmers would have to pay San Miguel Food Incorporated (SMFI) at least P2.4 billion for what they have invested in the property. Stated in Chapter VI SEC. 17. Determination of Just Compensation. - In determining just compensation, the cost of acquisition of the land, the current value of like properties, its nature, actual use and income, the sworn valuation by the owner, the tax declarations, and the assessment made by government assessors, shall be considered. The social and economic benefits contributed by the farmers and the farm workers and by government to the property as well as the non-payment of taxes or loans secured from any government financing institution on the said land shall be considered as additional factors to determine its valuation.
Why isn’t Gloria or her cabinet men telling this to the farmers? It is a good thing that the Sumilao farmers have learned from experience and are taking the executive order with a grain of salt,”
“Yes, technically the land may be theirs but practically speaking they will forever be in debt just trying to pay for that land. This has happened to majority of the so-called beneficiaries of the CARP. Most farmers find it hard enough to feed their families, now they have to contend with another intolerable burden,” said Mariano.
“It is on this type of scenario that once again the big landlords and corporations like Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco and San Miguel Corporation would come in and entice farmers to enter into schemes like growership, joint ventures agreements, cooperatives, leasehold and lease back arrangements. Through these schemes eventually the land is taken over by the landlord. In fact according to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) itself, in the year 2000, more than 375,000 hectares of land given to farmers have reverted back to landlords,” added the peasant leader.
“That is the bone of contention now why the Palace and SMC are haggling over the price of the land, but as with most cases it will be too steep for farmers. The most effective evidence that the struggle of peasants for their land has been won, is their actual cultivation of the land and that they cannot be evicted. If these two factors are not present, then the battle is not over,” ended Mariano. # # #

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