Hermosa, Bataan—Mainstream farmers belonging to peasant group Aniban ng Magsasaka, Mangingisda, at Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMMA-Katipunan) signed a petition endorsing the conversion of 213-hectare area from agricultural to industrial in Barangay Sumalo, this town.
About 150 mainstream farmers mostly from villages of Hermosa and Dinalupihan already signed the petition and the number is expected to increase with farmers from other towns already signifying their support, according to Rey Rentoza, chairman of Hermosa-based Pulang Lawin Farmers Association, a member-association of AMMA-Katipunan.
“It is timely to give way for the conversion of the land from agricultural to industrial to benefit Sumalo residents by giving them plenty of livelihood opportunities,” Rentoza said.
“We see a progressive Sumalo in the future with institutions in placed to serve the public and residents occupying permanent site,” he added.
Riverforest Development Corp., the company that owns the property formerly known as Litton Estate, has expressed bright prospect for industrial growth in the area given its accessibility and strategic location being near to two economic zones-Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Hermosa Economic Zone.
The development of Sumalo has been stalled for more than 3 decades by a group in the barangay led by Sumalo Capt. Rolando Martinez prompting the filing of ejectment case of the developer against him, 4 other barangay officials, and 13 residents.
RDC won the case and there is now pending execution of the ejectment order issued by the Dinalupihan-Hermosa Municipal Circuit Trial Court against them.
Martinez is also facing investigation from the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon for various cases of abuse of authority and graft and corruption.
“Let us end the dispute and embrace the development path being offered by RDC,” Rentoza appealed to barangay folks.
Farmers signed the petition in a meeting dubbed Pulong-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Magsasaka’t Batayang Sektor para sa Pagsusulong ng Tunay at Makabuluhang Kaunlaran ng Barangay Sumalo held in the village last week.