Naga Mayor: There is A Need to Pursue This Pilgrim

As early as 4:00 a.m. yesterday, the pilgrim-farmers started to get ready to proceed to Del Rosario, Naga.  And soon after breakfast at Precuaria, they started their journey.

They stopped at brgy. Banasi in Bula, and met the twenty four (24) Banasi farmers who will join the pilgrimage to Manila.  The pilgrim- farmers from Bukidnon, Agusan del Sur and Davao del knew from the start that the Banasi farmers will soon join them. In fact, this was the meat of their discussion during their tactic/reflection session last Sunday. 

Despite this prior knowledge, the pilgrim-farmers still felt emotional when they converged at brgy. Banasi.  The meeting made them more inspired and determined, especially that their number has increased.  Although the essence and purpose of their pilgrimage is clear to them, they also recognize that the numbers of pilgrim-farmers and support groups will definitely create a strong impact in their bid to pressure the legislators to enact a law that will ensure the protection of the rights of the farmers across the country.

With two jeepneys and one elf, they traveled to San Jose, Bula.  Then the pilgrim-farmers decided to walk from there traversing barangays Pawili, Anayan, Poblacion, del Rosario and San Jose for a total of four kilometers.

They proceeded to Camarines Norte DAR Provincial Office where they were warmly welcomed by the staff of said agency.  The staff prepared a merienda for the pilgrim-farmers as the simple gesture of their solidarity and contribution to the cause of the farmers.  Then they proceeded to Brgy. Palestina, Pili and again walked until they reached Brgy. Del Rosario, Naga City.

No less than Mayor Jessie Robredo of Naga City and his staff who waited for them welcomed the pilgrim-farmers.  Various people’s organizations – KASAMA from Brgy. Ocampo, Sibago; PUWERSA from Pasakaw; PARAUMA from Pamplona; KUSOGKA from Bula; and SMPCI from Iriga also cheered on their arrival.

Thereafter, Mayor Robredo, the peoples’ organizations, and other support groups (Ateneo de Naga Social Science Department with their Department Chairperson Ramon Bileno III), walked with the pilgrim-farmers.  The solidarity and support was too overwhelming for the pilgrim-farmers that their chant, “CARP EXTENSION WITH REFORMS! IPASA! ISABATAS! NGAYON NA!,”  became louder as their walk progressed.

When they reached Kinse Martires, the LGU prepared lunch, after which they proceeded with the CARPER program.

Brgy. Sta. Cruz Chairperson Albert Castaneda spoke and said that he admires the commitment and determination of the farmers.  He believes that there is really a need to advance the rights of the farmers because agriculture makes our country alive.

He also assured that in his little ways, he will support the cause of the farmers.

A message of support was delivered by Ms. Jes Bergantin of the Banasi Farmers.  He stressed that the Banasi farmers are in solidarity with the Sumilao Farmers and other farmers across the country in this fight.

After the forum they (numbering around 140 individuals) walked for another 2 kilometers, as they were escorted by Naga City Public Safety Office towards Caseres Social Action Center, where a multi-sectoral forum was scheduled to be held.  The forum was participated with hundreds of people.

The participants of the forum were welcomed by Mr. Ram Samar, member of the Board of Directors of Naga City People’s Council.  Efren Arroyo of Precuaria on the other hand explained to the public the context of the pilgrim and why the farmers decided to pursue this kind of action.

Mayor Jessie Robredo was the Key Note Speaker.  He once again reaffirmed his solidarity with the farmers.  He said that he still remembers the Naga leg of the “Walk for Justice, Walk for Sumilao Land Campaign.”  He personally saw the sufferings of the farmers and said that these farmers do not deserve to undergo this torment. 

And with this, he asked the participants as to the necessity of the pilgrim.

He then discussed the 6 months CARP extension previously enacted by the Philippine legislators.  He described the move as an introduction to the total extinguishment of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the country.  He shared his personal observation that up to the present, the 6 month extension provided no clear and positive outcome.

He concluded his message in an answer to his previous question.  He stressed that there is a need to pursue this pilgrim.  This is our dream and the people should know and take action how to reach this dream.

Mr. Ramon Bileno, Yoyong Merida and Jess Bergantin responded to the mayor’s message by explaining the importance of CARP and its relation to social justice, the need to enact legislation for CARP Extension with reforms and why the form of the action is pilgrimage.

The multi-sectoral forum was closed by Mr. Rene Humba of Coalition for Citizen’s Constitution.

The pilgrim-farmers are now in Gumaca, Quezon.

THE PILGRIM-FARMERS WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE HUNDREDS OF FACES, GROUPS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO JOINED THE FORUM AND SUPPORTED THE FARMERS’ PILGRIMAGE FOR CARPER FROM THE START OF THE CAMPAIGN UNTIL NOW: PAKISAMA Bicol, Pecuaria Development Cooperative, Inc. (PDCI), DAR Region-5, SAMASAKA, AKBAYAN! ALBAY, PAKISAMA ALBAY, AR Now, LGU-DARAGA,  , SANDIGAN Sorsogon, DAR Provincial Office of Sorsogon, Bishop Isabelo Abarquez, Bishop Emmanuel Trance, Bishop Jose S. Palma, COOP-NATTCO, MAS-SPECC, DAR Provincial Office of Samar, Sto. Nino Church of Matnog, Pedro Calungsod Formation Seminary, Department of Health (DOH) Region 10, Dr. Edna Eugenio, Engr. Estudillo (PPA Port Manager), Val Galarosa, DAR Region 8, Regional Director John Maruhom, Father Toto Jaranilla of Order of Carmelites in Ormoc City, Daughters of St. Paul, Redemptorist Community, DAR Provincial Office (Tacloban City), Sto. Nino Parish Church, Philippine Port of Authority-Port of Lipata, The Management of the Super Shuttle Ferries, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Living the Gospel Communities (LGC), Peasant Groups who participated in Surigao Forum, DAR Provincial Office of Surigao del Sur, REACH Foundation, municipalities of Dinagat Island which issued the resolution supporting CARPER, Hon. Bernardino Alcario,  Most Reverend Juan de Dios M. Pueblos, Bishop Zacarias C. Jimenez, Agusan Organic Farmers’ Federation (AGOFAFED), Social Action Center (SAC) of Butuan City, St. Peter Seminary, Tubay Parishioners, Federation of Agrarian Comm. Coop. (FEDARCO), Bukidnon People Power Agrarian Reform Org. (BPPARO), Panaghiusa Alang sa Kaugalingon ug Kalingkawasan (PASAKK), Father Saturnino Urios University College of Law, KAIBAN, Hacienda Maria Farmers of Sta. Josefa,  Agusan del Sur (KAMMPE), HEED Foundation, SLB, New Sibunga Farmers’ Association (NESFA), DAR Region 10, Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro City, Bishop Antonio Ledesma, MISAD, Archdiocese of Malaybalay City, Bishop Honesto Pacana, Alliance of Progressive Labor, Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana-Social Involvement Office of Xavier University, Concerned Members of XU Community ug XU Research and Social Outreach (XU RSO), Year Of Service (Xavier University), CONVERSATION, St. John Vianney Seminary, POs of El Salvador City and Alubijid,Touch Foundation, PHILDHRRA, Balay Mindanaw Foundation, Inc. (BMFI), RCED, KPMFI, BDSI, PAKISAMA, CABUSTAM, KAISAHAN, SALIGAN, and the many faceless individuals and groups, Camarines Norte DAR Regional Office, Banasi Farmers, Mayor Jessie Robredo of Naga City, Naga City personnel, KASAMA, PUWERSA, PARAUMA, SMPCI, Naga City Public Safety Office, Ateneo de Naga, Ateneo de Naga Social Science Department, Mr. Ramon Bileno III, Brgy. Sta. Cruz Chairperson Albert Castaneda, Mr. Ram Samar, Naga City People’s Council, Rene Humba and Coalition for Citizen’s Constitution.