Luisita lands should be distributed in one year, says farmers group leader

Hacienda Luisita workers: Grateful to Chief Justice Renato Corona. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III should speed up and finish the distribution of the Hacienda Luisita lands in one year, and not until his term ends, said Farm Workers Agrarian Reform Movement (Farm)-Luisita president Renato Lalic said Tuesday.

 Aquino made this pledge in his third State of the Nation Address Monday.

In an interview with anchors Susan K, Den Macaranas and Captain Dylan Halili of “Good Morning Inquirer” on Radio Inquirer 990AM, Lalic said considering the Supreme Court has already ruled on the distribution of the sugar estate owned by the family of Aquino, the President should be able to implement the order in one year, and not until 2016—before his term ends.

“Yan ang nakakatawang ipinangako niya . . . dapat sa isang taon lang . . . hindi na namin kayang maghintay. Dapat itong taon na ito ipamahagi na (That’s a ridiculous promise. It should be finished in one year. We can’t wait. This year, the lands should have been distributed),” Lalic said, adding that Luisita farmers has not received anything from the promised “support services” from the government.

For the full interview, listen to the audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.