THE ATENEANS for Agrarian Reform Movement (Afarm), in its official statement on President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s dialogue with the Kilusan para sa Ugnayan ng mga Samahang Magniniyog (KILUS Magniniyog), urged involved government bodies to consult with the farmers in processing amendments for the coco levy fund.
During Aquino’s meeting with the farmers on November 26, he promised to issue an executive order (EO) that will allow for the utilization of P3-billion worth of annual interest earnings from the coco levy fund.
Aquino also declared that he will certify as urgent a bill for the protection of the recovered P71 B from shares in food and beverage company San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
Afarm’s statement, which was released through the group’s Facebook page on December 1, read that Aquino did not mention whether he would certify as urgent a new bill or the bills that have been already been filed through people’s initiative at the Senate and House of Representatives.
In an interview with The GUIDON, Afarm Chair Ace Dela Cruz said, “Whichever [version of the] bill and EO [the government will push for], our take is that the farmers should always be included both in the consultative and governing bodies of the trust fund so that we can ensure that it will always be for their ultimate and direct benefit.”
The coco levy fund refers to the tax collected from coconut farmers during former President Ferdinand Marcos’ regime. The money, however, was invested in various industries that are unrelated to the coconut farming industry such as SMC.
Anticipation
During the discourse with the farmers, Aquino said the coco levy fund may not be utilized until the Supreme Court (SC) issues an entry of judgment that will authorize the usage of the funds.
In its statement, Afarm called on Aquino to hasten the process while remaining within the boundaries of the law so that concrete plans could immediately be parlayed.
“The farmers have waited for far too long only to keep waiting, and it makes little sense to have their case denied an Entry of Judgment when Danding Cojuangco’s case was swiftly issued one,” the statement read.
Dela Cruz pointed out how “unfair” it is to hold back certain benefits from the farmers who directly paid for them in the first place.
“We’re not only talking here about the 71 farmers, but we are talking about the 3.5 million coconut farmers here who have yet to be given the programs and benefits that they deserve,” he said.
Despite that, Afarm said that it welcomes Aquino’s intention to utilize the coco levy funds for the benefit of the farmers and the development the coconut industry.
Afarm’s statement read, “For as long as the President’s promises will translate into action, a step towards improving the lives of millions of small coconut farmers has been achieved.”
Dela Cruz said he has no doubt that Aquino will follow through with his plans for the coco levy fund and that the SC will act decisively on the case given the public opinion.
“We, in Afarm, are quite positive that PNoy (Aquino) will make use of the coco levy funds because the entire nation is now watching. After getting a lot of media attention from the march, I think PNoy (Aquino) will not attempt to deny again our farmers of their call,” he said.
Moreover, Dela Cruz urged Ateneans to follow the issue towards its complete resolution.
“We, in Afarm, also urge our fellow Ateneans to join us once again, keep an eye on the issue until the creation and implementation of the trust fund, until historic justice is served to our coconut farmers,” he said.
Ace, your commitment to ensure historic justice is served is just plain inspiring. Today the Supreme Court ruled to grant the Solicitor General’s motion for partial entry of judgement of the Sept 2012 ruling awarding to government to benefit solely the coconut farmers and the coconut industry the 24% of CIIF-SMC shares.
Congratulations!