Farmer workers and members of the National Federation of Sugar Workers in Negros Occidental yesterday criticized Edwin Sanchez, the municipal agrarian reform officer of Mucia, for what they claimed as his inaction, unreliable performance, and lack of concern on the complaints and petitions filed by the farmers.

NFSW secretary general Butch Lozande yesterday said they want Sanchez to fast-track and process their claim folders pending in his office.

Lozande said that they feel that Sanchez is biased in his decisions and that he favors the claims of the landowners in processing the coverage and applications of the farmers for the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

He said they feel that this act of insincerity is the reason why their applications for CARP coverage are still pending where many of their members are now retirees and others already terminated by the landowners.

The DAILY STAR tried to reach Sanchez for comment through his mobile phone but he could not be contacted up to press time yesterday.

However, Gloria Cañonero, senior agrarian reform program technologist of the Department of Agriculture, said they are doing their best to process all claim folders of the farmers and have created special committees from the acquisition stage to the distribution period to fast-track the procedure.

Lozande also said they will hold a protest today at the Murcia Municipal Hall and present their concerns to Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano, particularly their job stability during the off milling season or “tiempos muertos.” *LTG

back to top