[ journal.com.ph ] June 2, 2008
ENVIRONMENT and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza assured some 100 Calatagan farmers that he could help them with their land problems with a dialogue within his office, and not through picketing the department’s premises.
Atienza made the assurance as he appealed to the farmers not to camp out in front of the DENR’s Central Office in Visayas Avenue, QC, since camping out “is not the solution to their problem.”
“I cannot allow them to camp out in the DENR premises. How would they feel if others will sleep, eat and do their ‘thing’ in front of their residences or offices?” Atienza asked.
“I can be of help to them if we are inside my office. If they are outside my office, how can I be of help to them? We are still willing to help them out as it is our job to let the poor have a share in the country’s natural wealth. But we must follow the rule of law. For me, camping out there is anarchic and is not entirely following the rule of law,” Atienza said.
Atienza disclosed that he already ordered the Mines and Geosciences Burea last month to suspend the exploration activity of Asturias Industries inside the 2,000-hectare MPSA (Mineral Production Sharing Agreement) area located in Bgys. Baha and Talibayog in Calatagan, Batangas.
He added that the activity remains suspended until now but stressed the Department cannot revoke or cancel the MPSA.
“The validity of the MPSA had already been affirmed by the Supreme Court. We have to respect and abide by the High Tribunal’s decision,” Atienza said.
The area also covers 507 hectares which some 318 Calatagan farmers claimed as theirs through the emancipation patents issued to them in 1989-1990 under the government’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. But majority of the farmers subsequently abandoned their claim over the area, leaving only 98 farmers still actively pursuing their right of ownership over the said area.
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