Displaced farmers to finally receive compensation

AFTER over two decades of waiting and protesting, a group of farmers in Laguindingan will finally receive their long-overdue payment from Ayala Corporation (AC).

This came after a dialogue was initiated by the Provincial Capitol with the Tubajon Farmers Association and Ayala Corporation represented by lawyer Francisco Tiongson last May 2.

It can be recalled that AC had promised to pay them a “disturbance compensation” as well as provide a relocation site, livelihood, and school opportunities after they consented to the conversion of the land the farmers were occupying in Barangay Tubajon, Laguindingan town.

The AC acquired a total of 602 hectares "unjustly," accusing the company of underpaying farmers when it bought the property years ago and of not having the proper documents certifying land ownership.

It has been an arduous legal battle between AC and the farmers but the Supreme Court in 2013 favored the farmers, ordering AC to pay the agreed compensation to their members whose lands were used for commercial purposes.

At the May 2 dialogue, the Tubajon farmers is set to file a motion for execution before the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board so that they will finally get a compensation anytime.

Lawyer Tiongson meanwhile clarified that of the 438 farmer beneficiaries, 415 already got the complete promised benefits from the Diamond Cement and Industrial Corporation of the Ayalas.

Tiongson asked for more time to complete the payment to the 23 remaining farmers.

For Efren Jaramillo, chairman of the Tubajon Farmers Association, said the dialogue gave them hope that justice will finally be given to the farmers.