Mendiola, Manila
May 9, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assured the members of Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Inc. (MARBAI) and other farmer groups that they have his full support over the issues of land reclamations and agrarian reforms in Mindanao.

Around 200 banana plantation farm workers traveled from Southern Mindanao to Manila and stayed in front of the Mendiola Peace Acrh since May 1 to appeal to President Duterte to intervene in their claims of land disputes with a private company named Lapanday Foods Corporation.

MARBAI members said that they seek for the turnover of the 145 hectares of banana plantation in Tagum, Davao del Norte to its 159 agrarian reform beneficiaries. During the dialogue, the farmers asked the President if he could direct the corporation to abide with the government orders for a proper turnover of lands.

President Duterte affirmed his commitment for the fast turnover of the lands, urging courts to stop issuing Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) and tax payers to pay the right taxes. He also said that he will order the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to fast-track the process once necessary documents are completed.

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