Farmer's Forum Consultation: Peace Talk and CASER

Quezon City – In response to need for consultation with the different sectors regarding the Comprehensive Agreement on Social and Economic Reform (CASER), Sulong CARHRIHL, in partnership with KAISAHAN and Manindigan sa Peace Talks, held a Farmers’ Forum and Consultation last April 19, 2011 at Ramberry Apartelle, Quezon City.

The goal of the said activity was to update the farmer sector on the happenings in the Oslo peace talks and to discuss the draft for CASER. Ms. Aileen Bacalso, an Independent Observer of the GPH Monitoring Committee. Ms. Bacalso shared information regarding the latest happenings in the Oslo peace talks.

The discussion on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development Agenda, followed. Mr. Anthony Marzan, Executive Director of KAISAHAN, a social development organization geared at helping farmers and farm workers, presented the issues and challenges in the implementation of the Agrarian Reform. During the discussion the need for the following policies surfaced as an answer to the farming sector’s needs: 1. National Land Use Act; 2. Anti Land Grab Law; 3. Idle and Progressive Land Tax Law; 4. Agricultural Credit Act; 5. Alternative Mining Law.

Then came the discussion on the draft for the CASER which was led by Mr. Ednar Dayanghirang, member of the GPH panel and chairman of the Reciprocal Working Committee on the CASER. He discussed the framework that his committee is working on for the CASER. Mr. DAyanghirang addressed the participants to help them in the panel through participating in forums, like this one, so they can communicate and consult with them so their own perspectives in this matter could be heard. The Open Forum, then, followed where the earlier recommendations on the Agrarian agenda were again put forth.

The following organizations were represented in the forum: KAISAHAN, Panaghi-usa sa Lalawigang Mag-uuma sa Bukidnon (PALAMBU), BRAMO Ormoc City Leyte, BLUFA – BRAMO Ormoc City Leyte, BALAOD, John Caroll Institute, Ateneo Human Rights Center, CLUP Now, PAKISAMA, PKSK, FIND, ANGUC and CARRD