Sumilao farmers picket Bukidnon DAR office

Farmers of Sumilao, Bukidnon who walked 1,700 kilometers to reach Malacañang last year began Thursday their picket at the Department of Agrarian reform regional office in the province. The farmers said they are demanding a cease-and-desist order on the construction of a piggery in the disputed land and a notice of coverage by DAR. The Higaonon farmers are claiming ownership of a 144-hectare land in Barangay San Vicente, Sumilao, where the San Miguel Foods, Inc. has started building a piggery. On December 18, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo revoked the conversion of the disputed land from agricultural to agro-industrial. DAR Secretary Nasser Pangandaman sought a 15-day period to study the case before issuing a final order. Rene Peña’s, board member of the Mapadayonong Panaghiusa sa mga Lumad Alang sa Damlag (Mapalad, Inc.), said the 15-day grace period has already expired last January 2. "We have decided to camp out here at the DAR office to closely monitor the developments of our case. We will stay here until they release the decision and we are assured that we will be installed in our land," said Peña’s in Cebuano. The farmers are planning to launch more rallies Monday outside the DAR office, claiming their supporters have pledged to join them in their picket. - GMANews.TV