DAR’s indifference on cry of Sumilao farmers?

This headliner at Inquirer.net:

“Malacañang wants the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to issue its position on the land dispute involving farmers from Sumilao, Bukidnon by the time the farmers reach Metro Manila next week, at the end of a month-long march from Mindanao.”

“DAR knows the marchers are coming in next week so they better act on it and better prepare for it,” he (presumably Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita) told reporters on Wednesday”.

Malacañang has granted the appeal of the Sumilao farmers to have the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) hear their petition to stop the conversion of their former farmland. Read the rest of the report here.

This is a welcome development. But it’s fantastic!

DAR still has to wait for the farmers to go as far as Manila before it responds to their appeal?

This is a classic case of a centralized government that is so Manila-egotistic. I think if this government really works, their appeal should be attended to even if these farmers just wrote a letter to Malacañang. And the tone of Ermita sounds like, as if the Office of the President has no direct line with DAR?

These farmers should be tilling their own lands to support their families, not walking to god knows where. If this government really works, farmers need not waste time walking their way to Manila. Right?

By the way, somebody asked who is funding the farmers journey. There’s got to be answers, too, somewhere. I believe they are transparent about it.

From what I have heard, certain non-government agencies are supporting, but a bulk of the expenses are born by the Sumilao farmers in solidarity with other farmers from around the country.