[Published at Bikol Daily, 30 Oct 97]

Naga City, 29 October 1997 - Today the 300 farmers ended their 4-day fasting at Plaza Quince Martirez in support of Mapalad farmers from Bukidnon and other land conversion victims. They were able to collectively express their support to Mapalad farmers and other land conversion victims, stress the importance of agrarian reform as a development imperative and reiterate that in the pursuit of Philippines 2000 and industrialization includes the peasant sector as well.

In the local level, the farmers marched to the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlunsod of Naga City to express their position regarding the proposed golf course that will be developed in a prime agricultural land in Caromatig, Carolina, Carolina, Naga City. After hearing the farmer’s side, they were informed to let the committee led by City Kgd Bordado to study and decide on the matter.

For three days Mayor Ben Decena of Bula, Camarines Sur snobbed the farmer-beneficiaries of Fajardo Estate in Pawili, Bula, Camarines Sur. Today, when the Mayor was still not found at his office, around 60 farmers held a dialogue instead with the Sangguniang Bayan and was granted a resolution asking the Mayor to explain his position regarding his endorsement to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA)that the Fajardo Estate be developed into an industrial zone.

The OIC Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer (PARO) Joe Z. Grajeda visited the fasting camp located at Plaza Quince Martirez and expressed his support to the farmer’s pursuit of gunuine agrarian reform. #