‘The decision to remove this land from agrarian reform coverage is a betrayal of the people’s rights,’ lawyer Christian Monsod says
MANILA, Philippines – Indigenous peoples (IPs), affected residents, and environmentalists urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to revert 10,821 hectares of land in Balabac, Palawan under agrarian reform coverage.
Last year, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) exempted these landholdings in question from agrarian reform, including Bugsuk Island where an eco-tourism project is being developed.
This is the latest development in a 50-year land struggle between the Philippine government and families and indigenous peoples in the southernmost tip of Palawan which started during Martial Law.
In 1974, Marcos’ father awarded more than 10,000 hectares of land in Balabac to the late tycoon and Marcos crony Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., in exchange for his agriculturally developed lands in other parts of the country.
These land transfers were part of the late Marcos Sr.’s agrarian reform policy. In the process, indigenous people were displaced.
Political will
Those affected now want the incumbent President, son of the former dictator, to settle the land dispute.
“Our lawyers are working out [an appeal] na naka-address na kay PBBM to reverse the decision sa Office of the President. Kaya this is now a political decision ni PBBM. Siya kasi ang last na mag-de-decide,” Raul Socrates Banzuela, national coordinator of Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, said in a media conference on Tuesday, September 24, in Quezon City.
(Our lawyers are working out an appeal addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reverse the decision in the Office of the President. This is now a political decision for Marcos. He’s the last one to decide.)
“This is a defining moment for your administration to demonstrate its commitment to justice, human rights, and the rule of law,” the petition posted online read. It has gotten a thousand signatures since it was started on August 28, 2024.
“By taking decisive action on this issue, you will not only correct a historical wrong but also protect the rights and dignity of the people of Bugsuk, Pandanan and Mariahangin Islands.”
The reasons cited for non-inclusion in agrarian reform were: the land is not suitable for agricultural production, and that the DAR has no power to overturn or reverse a contract that a president executed.
Members of indigenous communities Molbog, Kagayanen, and Pala’wan appealed early this year to reverse the decision but was rejected by the DAR.
“The decision to remove this land from agrarian reform coverage is a betrayal of the people’s rights,” Christian Monsod, legal counsel of the affected indigenous people and residents, said.
“We demand its reversal and the speedy distribution of the land to its rightful owners,” Monsod added.
Currently, 5,567.54 hectares of Bugsuk Island is now part of San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) eco-tourism development.
The planned island resort of SMC subsidiary Bricktree Properties Incorporated in southern Palawan will include the rehabilitation of an aerodome, construction of an airstrip, hangar, new roads, water and power supply facilities.
Last July 22, the project secured an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Taking back land and water
Another way for them to reclaim the land besides agrarian reform is by applying for a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT).
Indigenous people and concerned groups are urging the government to issue a CADT covering 56,000 hectares of land and waters in Balabac. They had applied for a CADT in 1999 and followed it up last 2005.
“This fight is about correcting a grave injustice,” said Romillano Calo, an indigenous Pala’wan and current chairperson of people’s organization Sambilog. “For decades, we have been waiting to return to our land.”
The resort is not the town’s first encounter with development projects.
In the early years after Cojuangco got hold of lands in Balabac, his brother, Manuel Cojuangco, established a pearl farm with French investor Jacques Branellec in the waters of Bugsuk under Jewelmer International Corporation.
The company cultures South Sea pearls sold at boutiques around the world. It established Save Palawan Seas Foundation in 2005, focused on promoting organic farming, tree planting, and beekeeping for communities. – Rappler.com
