Davao farmers criticize DAR

DAVAO CITY — Agrarian reform beneficiaries of a banana plantation in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte have bewailed what they described as the "shabby" treatment they have been getting from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The members of the Davao Marsman Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development Cooperative demanded that Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza immediately implement a memorandum of agreement (MOA) the group signed with the management of the Marsman Estate Plantation Inc. (MEPI) on Sept. 25, 2000.

Rolando Lusterio Sr., president of the cooperative, said the DAR has delayed its approval of the MOA, thus also stalling its implementation.

Once enforced, the MOA, Lusterio said, will bring countless economic benefits to the 762 agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Lusterio said the cooperative had complied with all the DAR’s requirements before the MOA could be implemented.

Under the agreement, MEPI will donate the 800-hectare land at no cost to the government although it wants assurance that it will continue to be the beneficiaries’ business partner in marketing the produce.