‘Distribute Fort Magsaysay land to farmers’

MANILA, Philippines - Farmers from Dingalan, Aurora is asking President Aquino to amend Presidential Proclamation (PP) 237 to enable the distribution of more than 4,000 hectares of land within the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR) to more than 800 farmer-beneficiaries.

PP 237 signed by the late former President Ramon Magsaysay on Dec. 18, 1955 gives the FMMR to the Philippine Army. It is the current headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division. The military reservation spans the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Aurora.

At least 4,752 hectares of land were awarded to 805 farmer-beneficiaries in 1993. “By acting to enable the distribution of part of the FMMR, President Aquino will not only demonstrate his commitment to agrarian reform but his sincerity in pushing for food self-sufficiency for our country as well,” said Tarcila Vivero of the Task Force Military Reservation.

In 2001, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources declared as “alienable and disposable” some 1,680 hectares in Barangay Matawe, making that portion of the military reservation ready for distribution.