Pangandaman fears Sumilao case to drag on

DAVAO CITY – Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary Nasser Pangandaman expressed fear that the controversial Sumilao farmers case will drag on after San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI) filed a motion for reconsideration in anticipation of the cease-and-desist order President Arroyo is expected to issue.

The farmers opposed the establishment of an agriculture farm by SMFI in the town of Sumilao in Bukidnon.

“I am afraid the case is going to drag on,” Pangandaman told The STAR.

He said SMFI had been given 15 days to file its motion for reconsideration after it received last Jan. 2 the President’s revocation order that was actually issued last Dec. 18.

“We expect the whole process would take longer,” said Pangandaman, who arrived here over the weekend for an important meeting with the board of directors of the Southern Philippines Development Authority.

Pangandaman explained the processing of qualified Sumilao beneficiaries would start only when the cease-and-desist order shall have become final and executory.

The DAR chief likewise lamented how the Sumilao beneficiaries, numbering only a handful, ballooned to over a hundred after the controversy broke out.

“Actually, we have extended support services to these Sumilao farmers before, when they were fewer compared to their actual number now,” Pangandaman said.

He also cited SMFI’s offer – a 200-hectare property adjacent to the controversial 144-hectare where the food company wants to put up its piggery – that was dangled to the protesting farmers.

“I haven’t seen SMFI’s final offer, but I think some offers were made to the farmers,” he said.

The Sumilao farmers also reportedly asked President Arroyo to visit the contested 144-hectare farm. The request was relayed to the Catholic bishops who were looking into the Sumilao case.

MFI reportedly also promised the protesting farmers economic benefits from the operation of the proposed agricultural facility.

But Pangandaman was quick to point out that he is also hoping for a “win-win” solution on the Sumilao case.