Is the Plight of the Sumilao Farmers Really Over?
March 30th, 2008 at 12:04 am (General, National Politics, Human Rights)
After braving a journey from Bukidnon to Malacañang to reclaim their land, the Sumilao farmers have finally reached a settlement with San Miguel Corporation. 50 hectares will be given to the farmers, while San Miguel will acquire 94 hectares else where.
In the joint statement of the farmers and San Miguel asserted that “it is a corporation with social responsibility.” The government is also portrayed as being committed to “land reform and social justice,” that “it is a government that cares for the poor and is committed to fighting poverty.”
While the plight of the Sumilao farmers might be definitely over, with positive results for the farmers, and good PR material for both San Miguel and the government, there is still much to be done in terms of genuine land reform and social justice.
For one, the land reform conflict in Hacienda Luisita is yet to be resolved. Serious and countless human rights violations and extra-judicial killings are also left unsolved. These are just some of the indications that there is still serious work to be done for the government to claim that is for social justice, and truly cares for the poor.
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