FLORIDABLANCA -- Farmer-members of the San Jose Farmers Association (SJFA) still cannot enter the 164-hectare property in Barangay San Jose, Floridablanca and make a living from it.
This, despite the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Regional Office denying the motion for reconsideration filed by the alleged owner of the disputed property.
In a statement furnished to Sun.Star Pampanga, an official of the 60-member SJFA lamented their failure to return to their own land.
"We were just forced out of our lands," the SJFA said, adding: "Worse, we now have something legal in the order of the DAR but we are still prevented from making a living in our land to feed our families."
But the farmers' group said it was thanking the DAR-Central Luzon for the new order it issued.
Recently, DAR Regional Director Teofilo Inocencio issued the order denying the motion of Ramon Joven Jr., alleged owner of the disputed property near the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).
In the order dated June 17, it was noted that "During the deliberation conducted on 10 June 2010, RCLUPPI Committee members observed that movant Ramon Joven Jr. has not presented any new evidence in support of the application for exemption and that the issues raised in the instant motion have already been thoroughly addressed with the issuance of the order dated 13 April 2010."
It further stated: "Thus, the committee found no compelling reason or justification to warrant a reversal of the assailed order. Furthermore, the committee recommended for the exclusion of 32.3910 hectares as per approved survey plan no. Psd-03-128275 (AR) and the 5.9706 hectares purchased/expropriated b BCDA for the Subic-Clark Expressway (SCTEX) from the original subject landholding of the instant application for exemption. Wherefore, premises considered, an order is hereby issued denying the instant motion for reconsideration for lack of merit."
In an earlier order obtained by Sun.Star Pampanga, it can be gleaned that "On 13 April 2010, this office rendered a decision in the above entitled case, the dispositive portion of which reads as follows: Whereof, premises considered, an order is hereby issued denying the instant application for exemption for lack of merit. The MARO and PARO are hereby directed to process the re-documentation of the claim folder of the property owned by Ramon Joven under RA 6657, as amended by RA 9700. The MARO and PARO are likewise directed to delineate the portion with an area of 5,9706 hectares, more or less, which was expropriated/purchased by BCDA for the Subic-Clark Expressway (SCTEX)."
"Records further reveal that subject landholding was subdivided into several lots pursuant to the documentation process under PD 27 resulting to Approved Survey Plan No. Psd-03-128275 (AR). Said plan indicates that lots 27 & 48 with an area of 28.5979 hectares were partitioned in favor of Ramon Joven; lots 9 & 91 were identified as creek areas involving 3,372 square meters; &lot 28 is legal easement with an area of 3.4659 hectares for an aggregate area of 32.3910 hectares thereby leaving only 131.7293 hectares as the subject of the above-stated Motion for Reconsideration," it added.
Sun.Star Pampanga tried to reach Joven, but no to avail. (Jovi T. De Leon)