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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian: Exempt agricultural lands, IP domains from Cha-cha talks

Gatchalian: Exempt agricultural lands, IP domains from Cha-cha talks

Published Jan 18, 2024 07:03 am

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday, January 18 urged lawmakers not to include agricultural lands and indigenous people’s domains from any discussion about amendments in the 1987 Constitution.

Gatchalian made the call in as he expressed concerns over possible inclusion of a provision that would allow full foreing ownership of lands in the country in the course of the debates on Resolution of Both Houses No. 6.

“While we support policies that would attract foreign investments to help underpin local economic growth, we should not allow the displacement of our local farmers and our indigenous people,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) earlier asserted that amending the Constitution might expose an estimated 14.2 million hectares of alienable and disposable public lands to 100 percent foreign ownership.

KMP cited data from the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA).

The senator warned disenfranchising farmers from tilling agricultural lands could lead to bigger problems for the country in the long run.

He pointed out this could worsen food insecurity, as the Philippines is already a net importer of major agricultural products, including rice and other important commodities.

“Hindi natin mapapayagan na mapigilan ang mga magsasaka sa pagtatanim dahil magdudulot ito ng pagkagutom ng marami. Taliwas ito sa inaasam-asam natin na pag-unlad ng buong bansa (We cannot allow farmers to be stopped from planting because it will cause many to starve. This is contrary to the development of the entire country that we hope for),” he said.

He also said the displacement of IPs from their domain would worsen the country’s housing deficit and possibly lead to unrest especially in far-flung areas.

“IPs usually play an important role in the conservation of land, which is an important factor in the fight against climate change and goals of building resilience to natural disasters,” Gatchalian pointed out.

Earlier, the lawmaker said he fully supports a Senate-led move to amend the 1987 Constitution but one that is only limited to tinkering the economic provisions.

Related Tags

agricultural land Charter change Sherwin Gatchalian 1987 Constitution indigenbous people
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