The Lasallian Community's support to Sumilao farmers didn't just stop from accommodating them last week. Wadel Cabrera III, Institutional Advocacy Coordinator of the De La Salle University – Manila (DLSU-M) Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), met the Sumilao farmers last 24 January 2008 at Asilo de San Vicente de Paul in UN Avenue to get updates regarding their case against San Miguel Foods, Incorporated (SMFI).
It may be recalled that 12 farmers from Bukidnon returned to Manila after the revocation order issued by the President, through Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita last 18 December 2007, was delayed. This issuance also did not include an order for SMFI to cease its hog shelter construction in the area.
According to Cabrera, the Sumilao farmers continue their fight for two main reasons. The first is that the land acquired by SMFI was in bad faith, and the on-going construction of a piggery in the said area is considered "illegal". Another reason is an SMFI advertisement that discredited the cause of the farmers. The SMFI had submitted to a newspaper broadsheet last 26 December 2007.
The farmers resorted to a tour of schools and parishes around the Metro to gain additional support for their case. DLSU-M and De La Salle - College of St. Benilde accommodated the farmers last 18 and 19 January.
There are various initiatives and programs by which La Salle schools could extend their support to the Sumilao farmers. Cabrera urged the community to take on the following measures:
1. Continue to explain the case to others in the community, especially those who have influence or authority, highlighting it as a violation of social justice.
2. Make the issue a matter of discussion for students. Such efforts will encourage students to be critically aware of socio-political issues.
3. Consider the moral dimension of the issue by encouraging awareness and involvement from La Salle schools. This will help future entrepreneurs and corporate tycoons to mold their moral standards when addressing similar issues.
4. Encourage relatives of San Miguel stakeholders enrolled in La Salle schools to support the just cause of the Sumilao farmers.
5. Maximize the signature drive launched by the Sumilao farmers.
Cabrera encourages the Lasallian community to exercise vigilance regarding the issue. “What is the price of constructing blocks of development when it is at the expense of injustice against ordinary people?”, he asked, similar to the question SALFA President Napoleon “Yoyong” Merida, Jr. had posed to the students and personnel a week ago.
The 12 farmers will continue their school tours in Manila, stopping over at Santa Isabel College and University of Sto. Tomas later this week. “Until their simple demands are realized, their fight for justice will not cease,” Cabrera furthered. He is hopeful that the case will arrive at a favorable decision soon.
For more information and updates, you can visit the multiply site of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
According to Cabrera, the Sumilao farmers continue their fight for two main reasons. The first is that the land acquired by SMFI was in bad faith, and the on-going construction of a piggery in the said area is considered "illegal". Another reason is an SMFI advertisement that discredited the cause of the farmers. The SMFI had submitted to a newspaper broadsheet last 26 December 2007.
The farmers resorted to a tour of schools and parishes around the Metro to gain additional support for their case. DLSU-M and De La Salle - College of St. Benilde accommodated the farmers last 18 and 19 January.
There are various initiatives and programs by which La Salle schools could extend their support to the Sumilao farmers. Cabrera urged the community to take on the following measures:
1. Continue to explain the case to others in the community, especially those who have influence or authority, highlighting it as a violation of social justice.
2. Make the issue a matter of discussion for students. Such efforts will encourage students to be critically aware of socio-political issues.
3. Consider the moral dimension of the issue by encouraging awareness and involvement from La Salle schools. This will help future entrepreneurs and corporate tycoons to mold their moral standards when addressing similar issues.
4. Encourage relatives of San Miguel stakeholders enrolled in La Salle schools to support the just cause of the Sumilao farmers.
5. Maximize the signature drive launched by the Sumilao farmers.
Cabrera encourages the Lasallian community to exercise vigilance regarding the issue. “What is the price of constructing blocks of development when it is at the expense of injustice against ordinary people?”, he asked, similar to the question SALFA President Napoleon “Yoyong” Merida, Jr. had posed to the students and personnel a week ago.
The 12 farmers will continue their school tours in Manila, stopping over at Santa Isabel College and University of Sto. Tomas later this week. “Until their simple demands are realized, their fight for justice will not cease,” Cabrera furthered. He is hopeful that the case will arrive at a favorable decision soon.
For more information and updates, you can visit the multiply site of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan
Photo by Francis Garucho, DLSP Media Bureau Student Correspondent
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1 comments:
Land must NOT be given to Sumilao Farmers
If I were San Miguel Corporation I would not give any square inch of land to these Sumilao Farmers even if they walk all the way to Antartica. There should be no free lunch in this world. You want land? Work for it! Besides, these Sumilao Farmers are not business savvy and would not make optimal use of the land the way San Miguel Corporation would.
These Ateneo and La Salle students (not all of them support those schmucks, I have friends who are Ateneans and Lasallians) who support these Sumilao Farmers are so hypocritical. If they are so concerned about the poor, then they should forego of their expensive education, ipods, laptops, cars, mall gimmicks, debuts and just give them all away to these Sumilao Farmers. That's what they want right? Rich giving away their rightfully earned money to the poor? If you benefit from the capitalist system wherein the RICH who are RISK TAKERS AND HARD WORKERS reap their rewards and the poor become poor, then just STFU already!
Let Darwinism make The Philippines a better nation. If the Sumilao Farmers can't afford to buy land then TOUGH LUCK. Let them whither away and may their breed cease spawning. People like Lucio Tan, Henry Sy and John Gokongwei had to endure hard work, deferred dreams and took risks to get where they are and NEVER thought that the world owes them anything if they walk barefoot and try their best to be objects of pity. I don't feel sorry for these Sumilao Farmers. They are despicable.
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