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Friday, July 18, 2008
Arroyo amends order on land conversion
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered the exemption of agro-industrial croplands and highlands from the two-year suspension of rice land conversions.
Arroyo in issuing Administrative Order (AO) 226-A has amended AO 226, which she issued on May 29.
Arroyo Watch: Sun.Star blog on President Arroyo
AO 226 suspended the approval of applications for land conversion of all rice lands, including irrigated and non-irrigated lands to ensure the country's rice production and supply.
It was intended to stop the conversion of agricultural lands into real estate development in light of the rising global prices of rice.
Under the new AO, however, agro-industrial croplands or lands presently planted with "industrial crops" are exempted from the suspension order.
Also excluded were highlands or areas located at an elevation of 500 meters or above which have the potential for growing semi temperate and high value crops, as well as agricultural lands that are ecological fragile and mangrove areas and fish sanctuaries.
The suspension order would instead cover "rice lands and lands mentioned under Republic Act (RA) 8435 or considered as Network of Protected Areas for Agricultural and Agri-industrial Development.
These include and cover all irrigated lands and all irrigable lands covered by irrigation projects.
President Arroyo in signing the issuance on July 14 stressed that while there is a need to optimize rice production to meet increasing local consumption, it is also the duty of the government to "ensure availability, adequacy, and accessibility of food supplies to Filipinos at all times.
The AO promotes food security, including sufficiency in rice, a staple food of the country.
"The state shall ensure that the poorer sectors of society have equitable access to resources," the order stated.
It added that income opportunities, basic and support services especially in areas where productivity is low should also be available to the poor.
The Department of Agrarian Reform has been tapped to implement the order. (JMR/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (July 18, 2008 issue)
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