Philippines: Harassment and court decision threaten the right to food of 200 farmers beneficiaries, Village of Polo, Tanjay City, Negros Oriental

In 1996, 393 hectares of land previously owned by a former Senator was awarded to 200  farmers and their families. However, not only has the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) failed to install these farmers’ beneficiaries onto the said landholding till today, the Court of Appeals has recently decided against the coverage of the land under the national agrarian reform program. The landowner is now taking this decision of the court to retake greater control of the land. Without land, the farmers beneficiaries are unable to feed themselves.    

International support for the 200 farmer-beneficiaries is urgently needed so that they can be finally take possession of the land awarded to them and be able to feed themselves. Please write a polite letter to Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, requesting her to act immediately on the matter.