Hda. Velez-Malaga land dispute far from over, says DAR official
The Task Force Mapalad farmers in Negros Occidental still face further threats from other farmer beneficiaries and landlord Roberto Cuenca despite the successful demarcation survey made by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Hacienda Velez-Malaga in Barangay Robles, La Castellana.
DAR Assistant Regional Director for Operations Felicidad Bañares said "peace and order" is still the primary problem that will haunt the farmer beneficiaries after he demarcation survey last Wednesday. The problem will continue to persist as the department delineates the areas covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Last June 4, two farmer beneficiaries were killed while six others were injured when Cuenca's three blue guards shot them after they entered the five-hectare land which DAR awarded to them last March 22. The fatalities were Ely Tupas, 52, and Alejandro Garcesa, 70, while Rene Florendia, Alan Hagocoy, Norberto Diamante, Joebert Malayas, Jude Capitania and Andre Barcoma were reportedly wounded.
The demarcation survey went on in spite of strong opposition from farmers and from the Cuencas. The department asked police protection from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to ensure the safety of the surveyors. A detachment was installed in the area to maintain peace and order, she said.
Bañares said, several cases have already been filed against Cuenca for "obstruction" but it did not make good in the local court. The Cuencas asserted that the CARP program which entitled their farmers to own land is "unconstitutional." The distribution is also hampered with the fight between the two farmer groups -- the Task Force Mapalad and those who are on the side of the Cuencas.
Bañares said there are two sets of Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) that were issued to benefit the 226 farmer beneficiaries covering the area of 295 hectares. One CLOA covers the area of 114 hectares with 122 farmer beneficiaries. There were already 58 farmers who were installed.
The department has already acquired 114 hectares. This is the source of the struggle among the farmer beneficiaries as those farmers belonging to the Cuenca group argued that the beneficiaries are only "seasonal farmers." The same property is considered as "prime lots."
The other CLOA which covers an area of 301 hectares has 122 farmer beneficiaries. The department has only acquired 114 hectares out of the144 hectares. Beneficiaries who are with the Cuencas are included in this CLOA.
Bañares added, the ownership of the property is "collective" in nature. The share of each farmer beneficiary will depend on the area covered by the CLOA. A farmer can have a share of three hectares maximum and minimum of one hectare.