Negros farmers call for genuine land reform anew

MANILA, Philippines - Before bidding goodbye to 2008, farmers in Negros Oriental province reiterated their stand for genuine land reform, an online news site reported. Visayan Daily Star reported that the farmers rejected anew the joint resolution of Congress to extend the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program for six months without the provision on compulsory acquisition of land. Kapunongan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmay'ng Maguuma sa Oriental Negros or (KAUGMAON-KMP) also pushed anew for the passage of House Bill 3059, the "Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill." Fermin Lorico, KAUGMAON chairman in Negros Oriental, lamented that lawmakers failed to give a solution to the age-old problem of land reform, providing instead a "konsuelo de bobo" resolution. Raffy Ducay, secretary-general, added the rich landowners who are members of the present Congress are the ones who "killed" the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. He said the resolution did not include compulsory acquisition but extended the Voluntary Offer to Sell scheme and the provision of support services. Lorico said government has given owners of vast tracts of land a chance to dilly-dally on the property transfer process. - GMANews.TV