"The Fight for One Land"

     Agriculture is one of the primary sectors of our country perhaps it is the most important sector because the Sector of Agriculture supplies raw materials, brings in money from the different countries, buys products from the Sector of Industry and gives jobs to the less fortunate or the jobless. It is also visible to us that the Sector of Agriculture is one of the most in need sectors of our country because they lack lands to harvest crops, income that will satisfy their needs and technology that will make their works easier. There are many issues that have existed in the past years issues that concern about the land ownership, satisfaction of needs and other points of land issues. The most famous issue that concerns about the Sector of Agriculture is about the issue of the Hacienda Luisita which is own by the Cojuangco clan. It is the most famous issue in Agriculture for it has appeared in news up to the present. To give you more information about Hacienda Luisita, Hacienda Luisita is a 6,435-hectare sugar plantation estate located in the province of Tarlac, Philippines, owned by the Cojuangco family, which includes the late former President Corazón C. Aquino and her son, incumbent President Benigno S. Aquino III. It spans various municipalities in the province, including the capital Tarlac City.

   Hacienda Luisita was bought by Jose Cojuangco Sr. who borrow money from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas or Central Bank of the Philippines in order to buy this property. There is an agreement that after 10 years he would turn it over and give it to the farmers of the land, an agreement that was never fulfilled. The farmers continue to fight for their land even there is a risk when they continue it. These little people are fighting the big men of our country which I consider unfair. The government should look into this problem and give the land that is rightfully theirs after 10 years of the purchase of the land. I also realized that there is a secret agenda which works behind the Corona Impeachment Trial. It is said that Former Supreme Chief Justice wants to give the Hacienda Luisita to the farmers but President Benigno Aquino III pointed out his attention on him and quickly finds a way to stop him from giving their property to the farmers. The way was the so-called Impeachment Trial. 

    Agencies like the CARP,  NARRA and other NGOs should focus their attention in giving the land to the farmers. This is the only thing they want even though this is not the only thing they need. Francisco Nakpil, one of the workers, are just one of the many who are fighting for their right in Hacienda Luisita until the very end. This is not just an issue of land distribution but it is also an issue that pertains about the relationship of the government and the people. These little people who we called the farmers fight till the very end until they receive what is rightfully theirs. They would not surrender even though they are hurt by the combined forces of the AFP and PNP in their previous attempt to conduct a rally. That land is more valuable to them than the owners of the land because it would provide them more income and happiness once they have the land. They fight for one land, a land that is the only hope for them.

                                                                                                                              -- Anton Miguel Jordan