26 february updates on lupang hinirang lupang hinarang farmers' pilgrimage for CARPER

PILGRIMAGE UPDATE
by Atty. Kaka J. Bag-ao, Balaod Mindanaw
26 February 2009

The pilgrim-farmers started their day yesterday as early as 4:00 in the morning when they left Gumaca for Sariaya, Quezon. They had a stop over in Brgy. Talipan, Pagbilao and had hearty breakfast of dilis and hard boiled egg.

Right after breakfast, they started to walk the 5 kilometers distance going to St. Ferdinand Cathedral in Lucena City, where they joined the Ash Wednesday mass, which starts the season of lent.

After the mass, the pilgrim-farmers conducted a symbolic activity to signify their grief and send the message of their imminent death if CARPER will not be passed. They then asked the people who attended the ritual to sign the CARPER petition.

After their symbolic ritual, they proceeded with their journey and reached Lucena City Hall after walking 2 kilometers. They took a brief rest, after which they continued their walk to Brgy. Isabang, Tayabas. When they saw trees alongside the road, they all settled and feasted over the fried galunggong and ginisang gulay, while relishing the comfort of the cool breeze.

While on their way to Sariaya, Quezon, the rain fell but they did not bother to pause because they have to be on schedule. After walking for 9 kilometers, they arrived in the Sariaya Municipal Hall. There, a brief program was held to explain to the people the cause of the farmer-pilgrims. After the program, many people signed the CARPER petition, and thanked the pilgrim-farmers for carrying the cause of the other farmers across the country.

The pilgrim-farmers stayed at the Pambansang Bagsakan ng Produktong Pang-agrikultura sa Quezon in Brgy. Sampaloc, Sariaya, Quezon. While they were about to sleep, a police officer visited the farmers and shared that he previously experienced to escort the Sumilao Farmers during the “Walk for Sumilao Land, Walk for Justice” Campaign and he is happy to see them again. He said that he and other fellow police officers will from time to time conduct patrolling in the area to ensure the security of the pilgrim-farmers since the venue is an open space.

The pilgrim-farmers are now moving going to Tiaong, Quezon.

Meanwhile, the Calatagan farmers started their pilgrimage yesterday bringing with them the community’s messages of encouragement, good tidings and prayers. Upon reaching Balayan, Batangas, they held a public forum on CARPER and gathered signatures signifying the peoples’ clamor for its passage into law. Today, they are on the way to Lipa City to be joined by the Canossian community in calling for the enactment of House Bill 4077 and Senate Bill 2666. After lunch, they will head off to Malvar where they will spend the night. They are expected to join their fellow pilgrim-farmers from Sumilao and Banasi on Saturday.

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: Pambansang Bagsakan ng Produktong Pang-agrikultura sa Quezon and its administrator and staff, SANDIGAN, HAGKIMATA Paralegal Network, Ugnayan ng mga Magsasaka sa Quezon (UGMA), PAKISAMA Southern Tagalog, Pinagkaisang Tinig ng Magsasaka sa Gumaca (PINTIG), Kababaihang Magbubukid sa Kalayaan (KAMALAYAN) from Plaridel, Quezon, SAMALO of Lopez, Quezon, SAUPAN of Atimonan, Quezon, SUMPIT of Pitogo, Quezon, and SAMAKATA of Tayabas, Quezon, Monsignor Candido Umali, Bishop Buenaventura M. Famadico, PAKISAMA Bicol, Pecuaria Development Cooperative, Inc. (PDCI), DAR Region-5, SAMASAKA, AKBAYAN! ALBAY, PAKISAMA ALBAY, AR Now, LGU-DARAGA, 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, FUERZA, 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.