Agrarian reform helps end insurgency in Sogod

The once rebel-infiltrated barangays Pansoy and Cadalawan of Sogod town can now look forward to a brighter future as they finally severed ties with insurgents and embraced the agrarian reform services from the government.

After their experiences with the leftist groups in the 80’s and 90’s, the two barangays were finally organized now as special units of the Agrarian Reform Community consisting of 202 beneficiaries.

Barangay captain Rolando Sultones of Pansoy said his constituents can now stand against the influences of the rebels.  He recalled that it was in this barangay where about 30 members of the New People’s Army ambushed a police team, wounding two policemen and a civilian.

Several other rebel-police encounters also took place from Pansoy to barangays Cadalawan, Ampungol and Nahus-an.  But now that most of the residents already own the lands they till through the agrarian reform program, Cadalawan barangay captain Eduardo Lumbab said the problem of violence is almost already solved.

Antonio Socorro, support and services chief of DAR-7, said that Cadalawan is a special ARC because of agricultural tourism and peace and order modalities, which are needed in the formation of ARC. Included in these are irrigation, livelihood, technical programs, education and others that are infused into the barangays.

An ARC is supposed to have more than 300 members covering around 300 hectares.  Both barangays Cadalawan and Pansoy still fell short of this requirement, said Socorro.

Provincial agrarian reform officer Stephen Leonidas, in his message during the brief ceremonies, said that forming communities is a strategy of DAR to give support to farmer-beneficiaries.  He said that Cabalawan, after seeing its potential, should have been declared an ARC a long time ago.

He reminded the beneficiaries that the success of DAR projects and programs depends on their hands so they have to do the best they can and work hand-in-hand with DAR.   — Ferliza C. Contratista and Jessica Ann Pareja, UP intern/RAE