Farmers’ Pilgrimage for CARPER, Now in Bicol!

Just like in the “Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice! Campaign”, Sundays for the pilgrim-farmers are spent for reflection sessions, rest, and for their personal necessities.

Yesterday (22 February), they started their day with a breakfast having sunny-side-up egg and fried galunggong as their viands.  Notwithstanding body pains, they feasted with full of excitement and smiles on their faces while having conversation with co-pilgrims about the situation of their families in their respective origins.  To ease their homesickness, some would crack jokes to avoid tear-jerking stories.  Then a very light ambiance with laughter echoing would once again fill their spirits.  Indeed, after two weeks, farmers from Bukidnon, Davao del Sur and Agusan del Sur, are now closed and good friends.

 At 8:00 in the morning, they went to St. John the Cross Parish in Brgy. Agdangan, Municipality of Baao, Camarines Sur, and listened to the homily of Father Jorel Galvo.  Most of them did not understand the message of the good priest but still, they were moved by the solemnity of the mass.  Right after the homily, the people in the church acknowledged the presence of the pilgrim-farmers and they received warm applause.

Later on, the pilgrim-farmers head off to Banasi, Bula, Camarines Sur and visited the area of the Banasi farmers.  They went house-to-house, had discussions with their fellow farmers in the area and had the Citizens’ Petition for CARPER signed.

The Banasi farmers prepared lunch with Ginataang Langka, Ginataang Papaya and Bicol’s specialty – really hot Bicol Express.  It was as if a festival is celebrated at the house of Ka Pobleo Clavero, a Banasi Farmer.  Around 20 Banasi farmers joined the pilgrim farmers in their lunch.

The discussion on CARPER was concluded as they feasted with Pancit Bato and Bread.  When they returned at PDCI Training Center, the farmers rested and took their dinner.

They continued their reflection session with Pecuaria staff and officers and PAKISAMA Bicol.  The Pecuaria staff and officers expressed their full support on the campaign and said that the farmers are not alone in their goal for all the farmers across the country to own the land they till.

Upon this writing, the pilgrim-farmers are now going to Del Rosario, Naga City.

The pilgrim-farmers have begun their long walk to Manila this morning in their bid to pressure congress to extend and reform the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). 

The core pilgrim-farmers from Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Agusan del Sur who left Daraga, Camarines Sur at 7:00 this morning dropped by the Nabua Church and received the blessing of Fr. Rommel Dacoco.  They were later joined by the 43 members of the Banasi farmers at the crossing Baao, Bula, Camarines Sur around 9:00 this morning.  From there, they trekked the 15 kilometer distance to Pecuaria, Camarines Sur under the heat of scorching sun.

Their first day of walk proved to be difficult even for those who have joined the Sumilao farmers’ 1,700 km walk last 2007, and the Banasi farmers’ 444 km walk last year.  Blisters and muscle pains have once again invaded the tiring bodies of the pilgrim-farmers.

But the farmers took the pains with meaning.  “We take the pains we experience as the expression of the collective suffering of the landless farmers across the country who are with us in spirit,” said Mrs. Hilda San-ahan of the Sumilao farmers.

Their walk was punctuated with brief rests in barangay San Roque and Andangan, Sta. Teresita before they finally arrived in Pecuaria around 12 noon.  Their exhaustion was relieved with the lunch and refreshments generously offered by the Pecuria Development Cooperative, Inc. as well as the warm welcome extended by the people of Pecuaria.

At 2:00 in the afternoon, the farmers had their personal reflection and an informal group sharing late in the afternoon.  A solidarity program is being prepared later this evening.