HLI compromise deal is a gross injustice

(published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 18, 2010)

The compromise deal offered by the management of the Hacienda Luisita Inc. is a gross injustice to the farmers who have tilled the land. (Bishop slams land deal; Aquino challenged: Don’t skirt CARP law, 08/10/10)

President Aquino has promised to distribute the land but he has yet to fulfill his promise

Fourteen years of the stock distribution option left the farm workers impoverished. Far from being true shareholders of Hacienda Luisita, they only brought home P9.50 per day in wages.

The HLI management claims that close to 80 percent of the farm workers have signed the agreement But there has been rampant coercion and bribery

No agreement can hide the fact that the land rightfully belongs to its small tillers, ever since the Cojuangcos bought the land using a GSIS loan and a guarantee from the Central Bank. Both institutions lent the money and guaranteed the loan with the stipulation that the land was to be distributed to its tenants, something that has yet to happen.

Despite a case already being filed against them, the Cojuangcos have stubbornly refused to let go of the land. The compromise deal is yet another attempt to keep Hacienda Luisita for themselves.

The farm workers who went on strike in 2004 and then occupied part of the Hacienda to plant rice and vegetables have achieved a small victory. But they are by no mean food secure. HLI management has denied them access to water, and they continue to struggle to simply plant enough food for them to eat.    

The Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP) has begun to help the hacienda farmworkers rebuild their land through sustainable agriculture.

Many obstacles still remain. Farm workers who attended PNFSP's first training on sustainable agriculture were visited and harassed. Members of the military observed the training. PNFSP's local coordinator is also constantly harassed.

Many sectors, from civil society to the Church have already spoken up against the deal. We add our voice to the growing clamor.

There will be no justice until Hacienda Luisita is distributed to its rightful owners. We challenge President Aquino to make good on his promise and distribute Hacienda Luisita to its tillers.

Isa Lorenzo
Research and Documentation Coordinator
Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes
www.pnfsp.org