PAYOUT. A total of 190 farmers of Barangay Napacao, Siaton, Negros Oriental receive PHP3,000 each from the Department of Social Welfare and Development - Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations program on Friday (April 28, 2023). They are members of Paglaum sa Mag-uuma sa Negros Oriental, which is locked in a land dispute with a private individual. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) national office on Friday distributed PHP570,000 worth of financial assistance to 190 individuals belonging to a farmers’ association locked in a land dispute in Barangay Napacao in Siaton, Negros Oriental.
They were part of the second batch of recipients of PHP3,000 each from the national government’s Assistance to Individuals in Conflict Situations (AICS). They also belong to the farmer’s group, Paglaum sa Mag-uuma sa Negros Oriental (PAMANO).
The first batch of 119 PAMANO members received the cash aid on Tuesday.
The cash assistance was fulfilled after slain governor Roel Degamo promised in November that he would help farmers who have illegally occupied a property in Napacao, which was granted to a private individual under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).
Degamo said he would confer with the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources to find ways to solve the Napacao issue.
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The PAMANO, comprising 337 members, occupied a piece of property that was once part of the Cabrera Enterprises but was awarded to a certain Andre Reyes via the CARP.
Reyes has since filed an ejection case against them, with a decision from the court now awaiting implementation by the provincial sheriff.
Some PAMANO officers told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that members were divided over the decision to voluntarily vacate the premises or not.
William Quimada, PAMANO moderator, said they are rejecting the calls of officials to peacefully leave the disputed property.
Bemar Anticristo, PAMANO secretary, agreed with Quimada, saying that they have no place to return to and they vowed to stay until their concerns are addressed.
Meanwhile, Jemboy Yunzon, PAMANO vice chair, said he understands the consequences of the court proceedings and will not resist the eviction order once implemented.
Officials from the local government, provincial and municipal Department of Agrarian Reform offices, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police and Commission on Human Rights will meet soon to prepare for the implementation of the eviction order and avert a violent confrontation. (PNA)
