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| From left: PARO II DAR NCot Enr. Marion Abella, Board Members Dulia Sultan, Noel Baynosa, & Airene Claire Pagal, Makilala Mayor Rudy Caoagdan, DAR Secretary Virgilio Delos Reyes, North Cotabato Governor Emmylou "Lala" J. Taliño-Mendoza, and Vice Governor Gregorio T. Ipong |
KIDAPAWAN CITY –
After 50 years of never ending ownership debate in Sitio Lacobe, Barangay
Malabuan, Makilala North Cotabato, the estimated 181.5489 hectares of land
conflict finally comes to an end when two parties signed a peace covenant on
January 31, 2013.
According to the
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) – Cotabato Province, the land conflict
started in the early 1970’s after armed men “Ilagas” swooped down the “Black
Shirts”. Since then, war came back and forth, with different groups owning the
land.
In 2011, series of
dialogues and consultations are conducted from barangay, municipal and
provincial government levels, identifying Datu “Toks” Baclid as the spokesperson
for Baclid Clan. On the other hand, Jose Danny Llup represented the Christian
group and farmer beneficiaries.
Final resolution and
survey plan was presented to both parties in December 12, 2012. Personnel from
DAR-Cotabato Province advised them to start cultivating the land to make it
productive, followed by a proposal for “kanduli”.
Cotabato Governor
Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza, who initiated the thanksgiving festivity, is
thankful for the cooperation made both by two parties, emphasizing that amidst
many issues of war and politics in North Cotabato, there would always be an end.
“The peace and order situation and politics in Cotabato Province are some of
our major issues that affect our economy, we always explain this to the personnel
of Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines that the root
causes are land conflicts,” she said.
The governor also
stressed out that the provincial government is determined to solve these issues
and encourage the residents to help each other in taking care of their land.
DAR Secretary
Virgilio Delos Reyes who is one of the witnesses of the peace agreement signing
acknowledged the personnel from PNP and AFP who always help the government in
maintaining peace and order situation in Mindanao.
Secretary Delos Reyes
said, “We at DAR help DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources and
NFA (National Food Authority) in solving this kind of conflicts.”
PARO II Abella
displayed the proposed projects for Barangay Malabuan after the ceremonial
signing which shows agricultural programs like Agrarian Production Credit
Program for Corn, PAMANA Pillar 2, and Agri-business on rubber production,
coffee production, cattle breeding, and agro-forestry.
Vice Governor
Gregorio T. Ipong, Makilala Mayor Rudy S. Caoagdan and the local officials of
Makilala and Barangay Malabuan, Board Members Dulia Sultan, Airene Claire
Pagal, and Noel S. Baynosa, and Deputy Governor on Muslim Affairs Edris
Gandalibo were also present during the feast.
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