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of the Manobo People in San Nicolas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon

First Posted on Inside Mindanao: September 25, 2007

Hardships amidst a pineapple plantation
By Ronnie Tauna and Carlito Layagan

DON CARLOS, BUKIDNON—“We have no more source of livelihood because our surroundings are now planted with pineapple. ”

This was the complaint raised by Bae Nelie Egos, a Manobo resident at Purok 6, Barangay San Nicolas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon.

According to Bae Egos, the 21 hectares distributed by the government to 358 families, all belonging to the group called Nagkahiusang Tingog sa mga Manobong Mag-uuma sa Molita Association (NAGTIMMA) is not enough.

Bae Egos said that their major problems are the following:
1. Food for daily sustenance;
2. Clothing because the people have no source of revenue; and
3. Tuition fee for their children who are going to school.

According to Datu Nestor Lantong, tribal leader of NAGTIMMA, the land planted with pineapple by Davao Agricultural Ventures Corp. (DAVCO) was owned by their ancestors.

Datu Lantong said that the land was only borrowed from their forefathers; however, the persons who borrowed the land acquired land title to it and this was then passed on to many people.

“Pain and sufferings that we have experienced cannot anymore be counted. Many times our houses and farms were demolished. We cannot transfer because we have no place to go, ”Datu Lantong said.

Datu Lantong added that those who can eat three times a day are lucky as most of the people can only eat once or twice a day.

Bae Lily Macapaar also said that they are not accepted to work at the pineapple plantation of DAVCO as those who have Certificate of Land Ownership (CLOA)—a document from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) proving their ownership to the land—are the ones accepted to work at DAVCO.

In an interview with Datu Eugenio Egos, he called on the concerned government agencies to address the problems in their area.

The group NAGTIMMA is looking forward that the government would award to their group a collective CLOA covering 1,500 hectares for the 358 families of NAGTIMMA at Purok 6, Barangay San Nicolas, Don Carlos, Bukidnon.

With reports from Ellen Red

END

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