Issues on land coverage: Farmers want gov to resign

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — At least 80 farmers picketed in front of the Capitol and the Provincial Veterinary Office Thursday afternoon, to demand for the resignation of Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. for allegedly ignoring their concern.

John Lozande, secretary general of the National Federation of Sugar Workers, said the land utilized by the provincial government for the Negros First Ranch in Murcia town was covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

"We've been calling the governor to come up with a win-win solution, like livelihood for the farmers and projects for the provincial government," he said, but then Marañon chose to dismiss them and their case.

Lozande said: "What he is doing is clear injustice to the farmers. If he can't do anything, if he keeps spending the people's money against the people and the farmers, then there's no reason for him to stay (in his position)."

"We challenged the governor to solve this problem. If he can't solve this, then there's no reason for him to stay as governor. He should resign, because it's useless for him to stay there," Lozande added.

There was no word yet from the governor, but Provincial Legal Officer Jose Maria Valencia insisted that the Murcia property had not been covered by the CARP.

He said that the Department of Agrarian Reform issued a notice of coverage only after the governor informed them about the land acquisition. "We already submitted the supporting documents," he added. (FREEMAN)