Distribution of Hacienda Luisita, Respect for our Constitution and hope for our farmers

SLB is one with CBCP-NASSA in its call for immediate action on the fair distribution of the Hacienda Luisita land to the farmers.  May this good news ripple into more of similar just distribution of land to the farmers in accordance with the law.

The long wait is over. The decision for land distribution of Hacienda Luisita has finally been rendered.

The CBCP-National Secretariat for Social Action, Justice and Peace thanks the Supreme Court for its resolution to distribute the lands to the farmers of Hacienda Luisita following the land valuation of 1989. At the same time we call on President Aquino and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) under him for a swift implementation of this decision. It will speak very highly of President Aquino if he is able to facilitate the distribution of Hacienda Luisita to the farmers. This will reflect his sincerity in being propoor and in pursuing social justice even at the cost of his family.

As we continuously move forth in our work for social justice, this decision will inspire agrarian justice in this country as enshrined in the Constitution. For agrarian justice advocates, it will inspire them to continue working with agrarian reform beneficiaries. The Supreme Court's landmark decision for Hacienda Luisita gives hope to many other small farmers' struggle for land in the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program of the government.

We call for unity and cooperation among the different farmers' groups in Hacienda to facilitate the immediate and equitable distribution of the land. May they also work hard to make the land productive so as to prove to all that agrarian reform has vast potential to emancipate the farmers from poverty. For this to happen, however, government agencies, especially the Department of Agrarian Reform and the Department of Agriculture should be committed in giving support services to the farmers as mandated by the law.

Having become a longstanding and landmark land struggle, the nation will always look on Hacienda Luisita as reference to gauge the earnest commitment of the government in implementing agrarian reform. But with the help of all - the farmers, the government and civil society groups - it will be a picture of success! This is our common hope.

+Bishop Broderick Pabillo, D.D.
National Director
National Secretariat for Social Action-Justice & Peace
CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Inc.