Farmers rally for repeal of local anti-CARP law

AGRARIAN reform beneficiaries are blocked by a phalanx of policemen from getting nearer the Sariaya municipal hall to demand a repeal of a zoning law that is reversing the gains of CARP by a council that has no quorum.
DELFIN T. MALLARI JR./INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

SARIAYA, Quezon—At least 100 agrarian reform beneficiaries held a rally in front of the town hall on Tuesday pleading for support from a council that had no quorum for the repeal of a zoning law that landowners are now using to reverse the gains of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in the town.

“Our desperate situation and the inaction of our local officials have forced us to stage the protest rally,” said Romeo Clavo, head of the group Ugnayan ng Magsasaka sa Gitnang Quezon (Ugnayan).

He said his group was ready to launch more drastic actions to protect their lands.

The protesters also asked President Aquino to stop reversing the gains of CARP in the town through what the farmers’ group said is a bigay-bawi (give-take) practice.

They also demanded the ouster of Agrarian Reform Secretary Virgilio de los Reyes.

A 1982 zoning plan in the town classified lands covered by CARP as nonagricultural, paving the way for the zoning plan’s use to revoke certificates of land awards (Cloas) given to CARP beneficiaries.

“I dread the thought of what I would do should the landowner try to get back my land,” said an elderly farmer at the rally.

The council, however, was unable to hold a session for lack of quorum. Councilor Alfredo Joven said by the time the farmers started their rally, only four councilors were present.

A phalanx of policemen carrying truncheons and shields prevented the farmers from getting nearer the town hall.

Clavo expressed anger at the absence of a quorum in the council, saying many local officials apparently had been bribed by wealthy landlords to prevent a repeal of the 1982 zoning plan.

Sariaya Mayor Rosauro Masilang and Councilors Gerardo Abril and Joven denied the accusation.

Masilang said he supports the farmers’ struggle and has already sent to the council a proposed revision of the zoning plan that would prevent its use to reverse CARP.

“It’s now up to the legislative council to finish the job,” the mayor said in a phone interview.

Abril, who is now on his last term as councilor, said the process of revising or repealing the zoning law is time-consuming.

Clavo, however, said his group had submitted a petition to repeal the controversial zoning law three years ago. “What’s taking them so long?” he said.

Clavo’s father in 2009 lost a farm land given to him under CARP. The group of protesters ended its rally before noon.