Santacruzan for Genuine Agrarian Reform

at the Kampuhan sa Congress

 

May 13, 2009

 

 

Reyna Sentenciada, the symbol of the innocents convicted, representing the rural folks held in perpetual bondage, because of the absence of a genuine agrarian reform program. She is roped, and guarded by 2 soldiers.

Reyna Elenarepresents the final victory of the rural folks in attaining genuine agrarian reform. This triumph, was presented by the rural folks through abundant harvest, and festivities. Instead of flowers held by Reyna Elena, agricultural products of the farmers, an array of vegetables, fruits, grains, roots crops were carried by women farmers in bilaos and other native baskets.

Reyna abodaga, the defender of the poor and the oppressed, and Reyna Justicia, both representing the justice that continue to be elusive for the landless rural folks.

/p

/p
           

 

 

Press release
13 May 2009

Reference: Zenaida Soriano, national Vice Chairperson
Leni Robinos (mobile #: 09275358445)

Santacruzan for Genuine Agrarian Reform

Peasant women camped in the rural people’s camp out in front of the Philippine Congress, held Santacruzan at 6pm today, a religious-historical beauty pageant held during the month of May, depicting the finding of the Holy Cross by Queen Helena, mother of Constantine the Great. The peasant women version of this tradition, was staged to present the rural people’s quest for a genuine agrarian reform and bountiful life.

Presented in the Santacruzan were, Reyna Sentenciada, the symbol of the innocents convicted, representing the rural folks held in perpetual bondage, with the absence of a genuine agrarian reform program. She was presented bound by rope, and guarded by 2 soldiers.

Preceding Reyna sentenciada were Reyna abogada, the defender of the poor and the oppressed, and Reyna Justicia, both representing the justice that continue to be elusive for the landless rural folks.

Following Reyna sentenciada were reyna Fe and reyna esperanza, symbols of the faith, hope and determination of the rural folks that with unity and collective action they can attain their goal of a genuine agrarian reform, the House Bill 3059, Genuine Agrarian Bill, presented by 10 children, dressed in white.

And the final part of the procession, the Reyna Elena, who in biblical history, found the Holy cross, represented the final victory of the rural folks in attaining genuine agrarian reform. This triumph, was presented by the rural folks through abundant harvest, and festivities. So that Instead of flowers held by Reyna Elena, agricultural products of the farmers, an array of vegetables, fruits, grains, roots crops were carried by women farmers in bilaos and other native baskets.

The traditional pabitin, a part of the festivities was done after the procession.

The Santacruzan is part of the week long activities of the rural people’s camp out for a genuine agrarian reform, to commemorate the Fiesta of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.####


 
     
     
     
           
     
     
           
=          
==          
     
     
           

 

News Release
13 May 2009
Reference: SOPHIA GARDUCE, Spokesperson (tel no: 439-3104)

Land for the Tillers: Still a Dream for the New Generation of Filipino Children

Children and child rights advocates led by SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns marched down Batasan Road this morning in an expression of solidarity for the peasants camped out in front of the House of Representatives pushing for the enactment of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill. “The long struggle for land for the tillers has reached this generation since Spanish colonization and until now, landlessness remains prevalent and a root cause of poverty in the rural areas,” stressed Ms. Sophia Garduce, spokesperson of the alliance.

Garduce also said that the failure of Marcos’ PD 27 and Aquino's CARP, further made hundreds of thousands of peasant families and their children landless. “Clearly, this is one reason why many peasant children are forced to take part in exploitative family labor.”

The group said that the government’s stimulus package programs purportedly aimed at alleviating poverty and hunger, such as the noodle for school and other dole-out programs, overlooked the basic needs of poor families, which are secure jobs and decent wages, land for the farmers and appropriate technological training and support for them. “Landlessness means poverty, and to resolve poverty, land should be distributed to the tillers. All efforts of government in addressing poverty will remain futile, for as long as the government turns a deaf ear to the decades-old clamor of peasants,” Garduce said. “It’s high time the genuine agrarian reform bill, that has been crafted from the tears, blood and sweat of the peasant struggle is passed into law,” she added.

The children’s delegation led by SALINLAHI was met by a festive mood of the peasant camp-out together with the peasant children. Urban poor children under Salinlahi willingly joined the solidarity march to show their support for their rural peers and they exchanged views on their respective situations. “What we witnessed today is a child-to-child exchange of experiences, which is a very significant learning process for the children from both rural and urban poor communities. Solidarity among children is just as potent as solidarity among adults, and this we have to foster and encourage for generations to come,” Garduce ended. ###
 
     
           
**          

 

 
 

Google