Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Bishop-Peasant Forum 2008

Hacienda Yulo Farmers Alliance (HYFA) leader Romeo Olaez speaking during the Bishop-Peasants Forum led by Laguna Bishop Leo M. Drona, DD, the Diocesan Social Action Center, peasant leaders & members with the presence of some government representatives including officers and elements of the Philippine Army on Friday (October 24) in Sta. Cruz town. Olaez expounded in detail during the assembly, among others, issues involving Laguna farmers particularly those tilling inside Hacienda Yulo. He also expressed group demands for the extension of CARP (Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program), violence inflected against farmers struggling for land reform the failure of the the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Arroyo Government to help solve their land problems. The bishop and the Social Action director in their turn reminded the about 1000 farmers and multisectoral group members to always apply the peaceful means in seeking redress for their various predicaments and promised that more dialogues and consultations would be conducted in the future for more  and various other sectors to give them venue to communicate their difficulties to the proper authorities. Video shot by FR. ROMULO O. PONTE