From the Philippine Information Agency (Dec 24): 400 farmers in Western Batangas consults with Secretary Ka Paeng Mariano
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Rafael "Ka Paeng" V. Mariano recently convened the farmers in Western Batangas to address their land issues and concerns and decide over the possible solutions and strategies to address their land problems.
The consultation was attended by 400 farmers from Western Batangas and facilitated by Samahan ng Magbubukid sa Batangas (SamBat).
Mariano emphasized that the DAR’ wiil be implementing a genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization programs for the next five years.
“We are currently conducting discussions on the important principles of genuine agrarian reform, its laws and provisions to enable the department to distribute land for free or at very least cost for our farmers”, Mariano said.
The DAR will also re-activate the Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) as an intermediary between the farmers and the DAR so that their concerns will be immediately entertained and solved at their levels.
During the consultation, different land issues and concerns were raised by the farmers residing in Hda.Puyat, Hda.Roxas, Hda.Agoncilo, Hda.Banilad, Hda.Ascue, Hda. Looc, land of Leviste, Enrile, Garcia, Macalalad and other agricultural lands in Western Batangas.
Mariano, together with Regional Director Engr. Rodolfo Pangilinan and DARPO Batangas officials answered all of the land issues and concerns raised by the farmers and urged them to fight for their rights on the lands they are tilling and be one in aiming for a genuine agrarian reform.
“The primary mechanism for the peasantry is to fight for his right and have an organized strength, unity and unwavering determination to defend their rights for their lands,” Mariano added.
http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1141482460597/400-farmers-in-western-batangas-consults-with-secretary-ka-paeng-mariano
Commies strengthen local CPP-affiliated organizations by exercising power through the positions they hold in the cabinet of President Duterte.
ReplyDeleteDAR Secretary Rafael V. Mariano is a long-time Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) activist. He was a member of the House of Representatives for Anakpawis serving from 2004 to 2013. He was also the chairman of the farmers militant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasan Movement of the Philippins-KMP).
Mariano was one of several people nominated by the National Democratic Front (NDF), the political wing of the CPP, to serve in the cabinet of newly elected president Rodrigo Duterte. It was subsequently announced in May 2016 that Mariano would serve as Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
Anakpawis is a political front for the CPP representing labor, peasants, and the urban poor. The party is a member of the Makabayan coalition of some 12 CPP affiliated political parties.
The KMP is the main CPP-associated above-ground/legal peasant front and is a member of the main CPP-linked multisectoral, umbrella front organization the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-New Patriotic Alliance).
Samahan ng Magbubukid sa Batangas (SAMBAT-Peasant Association of Batangas) is a KMP regional affiliate.