Peasants, climate advocates call on DAR to resolve land rights cases

PEASANT and climate justice groups expressed their support on Monday for a proposed dialogue with the  Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to expedite the resolution of land rights cases involving thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

The coalition, known as the June 10 Land Rights Committee, is made up of farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous people, and climate activists.

Organizations listed as members of the coalition include the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), the Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Katarungan Panlipunan, the Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan, the Pagkakaisa para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo, Focus on the Global South, Alter Trade Foundation, Inc., Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, the Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, the Makabayang Alyansa ng Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, and the Aniban ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura.

The committee submitted a letter to the DAR on May 28, requesting the resolution of 19 land cases involving 18,566 hectares affecting 7,887 farmers and ARBs.

In a statement, Campaign Senior Officer for Food, Land, Water, and Climate of the PMCJ Laica Rayel said that resistance from landowners and inconsistent government support stood in the way of farmers achieving control, ownership, and management of awarded land.

“These obstacles must be addressed, as we are experiencing the combined impacts of a super El Niño and the energy and economic crises, which will make matters worse for agriculture and our ability to survive,” Ms. Rayel said in a statement. — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza