Monday, March 17

Martsa Sumilao

Exactly 3 months ago today, on December 17, 2007, PGMA met with the Sumilao farmers who have walked more than 1,700 kilometers from Sumilao to Manila and promised them to return the 144 hectare land to them. The following day, December 18, the Office of the President issued the revocation order that reverted the 144-hectare property to agricultural use. The case did not move since then even as San Miguel Corporation continue to build its patently illegal piggery farm in the contested land.

-from the Press Release of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan on Martsa Sumilao (full text here)

the struggle continues.
and the farmers remain true to their word
of not politicizing their cause,
of not calling for anyone's resignation.

they remain struggling even if fewer and fewer ears are willing to hear.
the ears, meanwhile, have more and more soundbites to listen to.

struggling, too,
figuring out which ones to hear more closely
and which ones to take for granted.

but for 144 farmers and more,
it's not between comfort and less comfort, say
a good summer vacation or a good time for volunteer work.

it is between
their basic human dignity
or letting others violate it.

they are not used to forgetting the basics, the bare necessities.
we are used to forgetting that they are not used to forgetting.
especially when their mere basics are at stake.

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