DAR ordered to speed up land distribution to defeat communist insurgency
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wants the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to hasten land distribution in areas that remain hotbeds for communist insurgency to eliminate the rebels’ influence.
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President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the Joint National Task Force (NTF)-Regional Task Force (RTF) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Region 10 meeting at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines in Cagayan De Oro City on March 5, 2021. ACE MORANDANTE/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
In his message in Cagayan de Oro City during the Joint National Task Force (NTF)-Regional Task Force (RTF) to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (ELCAC) Region 10, President Duterte said 450,000 hectares of land are up for distribution, based on the report of Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones.
“I
hope that you will be able to distribute it before my term ends. Something to
do, leave behind. Thank you. I will give away all 400,000 (hectares)," the
President said.
So
far, the government has distributed more than 2,100 hectares in the Northern Mindanao
region alone. It has been the President’s policy to give away all
government-owned lands that have been idle for decades.
Apart
from land, farmer beneficiaries should also receive fertilizer and seedlings
from the government, the President said, expressing his willingness to spend
money for the program.
The
chief executive also made renewed offer to the rebels for a local peace
dialogue. “This is my request from you: to go down here so we can talk. Do you
want us to talk in the mountains? I will be the one to go up there.”
“I’m
used to having dialogues with you, right? I’m used to that. If you want me to
go there alone, then we can talk there. But you should swear on your honor that
I go up there alive and come back down alive. Let’s talk.”
The
Duterte government abandoned the peace talks with the communist movement after
it insisted on a coalition government, which, according to the President, is
non-negotiable.
And
for those who want to return to the fold of the law, President Duterte said his
government is ready to provide them with shelter and livelihood. The Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will extend skills training
to rebel returnees for them to secure well-paying jobs.
“For
those who do not want war, those who understand what’s wrong and right, you
know that we will know if what you did was right or wrong, we will still welcome
you,” he told the rebels.
“I’ll
give you a house and a job. And while you don’t have a job, I’ll give you rice.
I’ll also find a job for your wife. TESDA is there,” he added. PND
