Duterte: Land reform to continue despite collapse of peace talks

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said his government remains committed to pursuing the agrarian reform program despite the cancellation of peace talks with the communists.

“With or without the talks between the government and communists, land reform will continue to be implemented. It will not end this way,” Duterte said in a speech during the distribution of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards (CLOAs) to beneficiaries in Sultan Kudarat.

The communists see free distribution of agricultural land as a basic principle of genuine agrarian reform. The free distribution of land was among the issues tackled by the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace panels before the peace talks collapsed in November last year.

• Reds seek free distribution of land in next round of talks

Government peace panel member Hernani Braganza, who also served as agrarian reform secretary during the Arroyo administration, had said it would cost the Philippine government about P98 billion to complete the distribution of over 1 million hectares of land for free.

• Land distribution should be completed regardless of peace talks: Braganza

The first agrarian reform chief under the Duterte administration, leftist Rafael Mariano, had also pushed for the free distribution of land as well as the repeal of department orders and even the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, which he deemed to be anti-farmer.

Mariano’s appointment was rejected by the bicameral Commission on Appointments. He was replaced by lawyer John Castriciones, who was recently bypassed by the appointments body due to his lack of track record on agrarian reform.

The President was in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat to distribute CLOAs to the beneficiaries of 4,266 hectares of farm land.

In his speech, Duterte said it is important for farmers to have access to credit so they would have capital for their livelihood. He said the Land Bank of the Philippines should address the needs of farmers and fishermen, the sector for which it was established.

“I’m urging the Land Bank to look for ways and means na makarating kayo sa farmers… Bangko [ito] para sa farmers, yet it has rambled on like a commercial bank. Iyang pera na iyan bitawan niyo, give it to the farmers,” he said.

He said he will continue to help farmers increase farm productivity, reduce expenses, and promote their well-being through various programs.

“The Philippines is nothing without our farmers who regularly provide our people with sustenance and ensure food security despite difficulties such as disaster, price fluctuations, and financial shortages,” he said.