Caravan for genuine land reform reaches Congress

• Source: http://punto.com.ph/News/Article/22823/Volume-8-No-88/Headlines/Caravan-for-genuine-land-reform-reaches-Congress
• Wednesday, June 10, 2015 3:36 pm

By Ding Cervantes

ANGELES CITY- Farmers from all over Central Luzon kicked off in this city last Monday their caravan that winds up today, June 10, at the House of Representatives to protest moves to revive the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) and push for a “geniune land reform” that includes free land distribution.

Dubbed Sakbayan 2015, the caravan held stops in various areas before proceeding to Congress.

“Coming from the provinces of Central Luzon, the farmers converged in Plaza Miranda in downtown Angeles for the kick-off of Sakbayan.

The farmers’ caravan then went on to Hacienda Dolores, in Porac, Pampanga” said Joseph Canlas, chair of the Alyansang Magbubukid ng Gitnang Luson (AMGL).

Scores of farmers are set to be displaced by a high-end housing project in Hacienda Dolores. Canlas said that “after the protest rally at Hacienda Dolores, the caravan proceeded to the regional office of the Department of Agrarian Reform to condemn the bogus Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).”

“The caravan also stopped at the Department of Agriculture regional office, Registry of Deeds, and Camp Olivas in San Fernando, Pampanga,” he also said.

Canlas stressed that “local mass struggles of farmers of Hacienda Luisita, directly owned by the landlord Cojuangco- Aquino clan, and Clark Green City will also be highlighted in the said caravan. Peasants from all the provinces of Central Luzon will represent their local struggles.”

“We do not expect the reactionary government, filled with landlords and compradors to implement genuine agrarian reform. The victory of this struggle for land reform lies at the strength of mass movements,” said Canlas.

He noted that “the people’s assertion of rights has brought victories, especially on areas where landlords are most oppressive. In Hacienda Luisita and Hacienda Dolores, peasants have stood for their rights and occupied the lands in spite of threats from the landlord’s hired men.”

After the regional protests, the caravan moved to the House of Representatives as the solons end the current session of the Congress, Canlas added.