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Land conversion blamed for rice shortage

April 4, 2008 [ journal.com.ph ]
By: Ire Jo V.C. Laurente

CALAPAN City, Oriental Mindoro – Farmers in Southern Tagalog said land-use conversion is one of the causes of the present rice crisis.

In a statement, Mario Esplana, president of the Pagkakaisa ng Magsasaka sa Hacienda Fule, said the Department of Agrarian Reform allowed 24,780 hectares of farmland owned by the Ayala Development Corp. in Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Rizal to be converted into commercial centers and subdivisons.

“Ang mga lupaing ito ay dating tinataniman ng palay, niyog, tubo at mga gulay na ngayon ay pinalitan na ng gamit patungong komerysal, residensyal, panlibangan, ekoturismo at mga pabrika. Ito ang pangunahing dahilan kung bakit nagkakaroon ngayon ng krisis sa bigas,” Esplana said.

He said they are asking the DAR to reverse its decision and give back the land to the farmers. The group has set up a protest camp at the DAR main office since March 31.

“They put up buntings around their camp to symbolize the “festive mood of the landlords and developers in cahoots with DAR officials amidst the hunger and sufferings of the farmers,” the statement said.

Esplana’s group were farmers of Hacienda Fule believed to be owned by the Ayalas, Yulos and Zobels, rich families from Makati.

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