THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) installed on Thursday, May 18, the 159 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) inside the premises of their land managed by the Lapanday Foods Corporation.
Reynante Mantos, chairperson of Hugpong sa mga Mag-uumasa Walog Compostela, said the installment of the beneficiaries was a joint effort of the farmers.
"The farmers entered the area around 10:50 a.m. together with other farmers, a path was made to make the entrance possible because the gate was not immediately opened," he said in vernacular.
He said farmers demolished and cut off the cyclone wires.
Mantos said as of Thursday afternoon, only half of the 145-hectare property was surveyed and occupied by the farmers, and they are set to claim the other half today.
He said the ARBs will claim the area in accordance with the directive of Secretary Rafael Mariano who led the installation with the sheriff Thursday morning.
Antonio Tuyac from Unyon sa mga Mag-uuma Alang sa Tinood Nga Repormang Agraryo, in a separate interview with SunStar Davao, said they are satisfied but quite dismayed of the delay of time.
"Though it took time, the installment of the farmers was successfully done through the help of Secretary Rafael Mariano, led by the sheriff, but most of all it is done through the unity of the farmers who supported the Marbai," he said in vernacular.
Tuyac said so far the impatience of the farmers to enter the area is the only act close to violence.
"There was a bit of a commotion when people crowded the gate but not even one person was injured, the security guards left their posts and the ARBs peacefully entered," Tuyac said in vernacular.
Mantos added that the guards cannot do anything with the order and the presence of the sheriff.
He said that there is now a portion of the areas of the ARB occupied by the guards, which is still threatening the farmers.
Mantos added the presence of the guards is among the things they would lobby in the inter-agency meeting to be held on Friday at Marbai compound.
The meeting will involve representatives from DAR, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, and the local government unit.
Previously, Mariano twice attempted to install the farmers last April 18 and 21 but was unsuccessful as they were prevented by the security guards of Lapanday from entering the banana plantation.
Reportedly, successful installation of the beneficiaries on Thursday came after the order of President Rodrigo Duterte last May 9 for Lapanday to allow the installation.
It was also reported that Mariano earlier requested the Office of the President to issue a directive to government agencies to assist DAR in the implementation and execution of the Writ of Installation.
The LFC, in earlier statements, bared that they do not honor the writ of installation stating that Marbai members must honor the previous contracts they signed with its mother cooperative, Hijos Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative 1.