Luisita, farmers urged: Opt for temporary SDO

I am not against the distribution of stocks or the distribution of land to the farmers of Hacienda Luisita. But I am against the Supreme Court ruling ordering a referendum to determine which of the two above-mentioned options the majority of farmers prefer.

The Supreme Court is tasked to make final judgments on questions of law. All the arguments and facts have already been presented. The Court could have put an end to the endless arguing over the case. Instead, the Court did a Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands and left Jesus’ fate in the hands of the people.

My suggestion after this ruling of the Supreme Court is: Leaders of both camps should come together and agree to stick to the stock distribution option for another seven years. Profits from this scheme should be pooled and deposited to a common account.

With a substantial pool of funds in the bank, the umbilical cord linking the farmers to Hacienda Luisita can be cut off and then they can enter into a 50-50 or 60-40 joint venture with Hacienda Luisita.

Let us be realistic. A farmer with only one hectare can’t survive. He needs farm inputs, technology, irrigation, farm tools and implements, market information and know-how, crop insurance, etc. To be competitive in the sugar industry, one has to go into mechanized farming, and needs at least 100 hectares and a substantial amount for farm inputs.

Hacienda Luista has the technology, market and capital and these have to be transferred to the farmers. But to do this will require time, patience and understanding. This is not about giving a child a piece of candy to stop him from crying, which may also be how our fellow Filipinos see the situation.
“From bondage to bounty.” Yes, this can be attained, but not overnight.

—Isidro C. Valencia
Building 33, Room 022
Bagong Lipunan Condominium,
Taguig City Mobile 09216633104