Philippines: Over-valuation of land awarded under agrarian reform program, Sitio Manggulod, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental, Philippines

The right to food of 243 farmers beneficiaries in Sitio Manggulod, Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental is at stake: a piece of land (Belon Locsion property) awarded to them through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) was initially offered by the landowner to the government for 12 million Philippine pesos (PHP), but was eventually bought by the government at 36 million PHP. Allegedly, some personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) were involved in this. As the new owners of the land, the farmers beneficiaries are bound to pay the said amount to the government; or otherwise they will lose the land they till – their only means of subsistence.  

An international intervention is needed to support the plight of the 243 farmers beneficiaries. Please write a polite letter to President Gloria-Macapagal, requesting her to investigate the matter and  put an end to this fraud and anomalous land issue.