ROOTED ISSUE | Tulfo, Villar get heated on converting farmlands into subdivisions, commercial spaces

November 17, 2022 , 02:46 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(November 17, 2022) – Two senators had a heated discussion on the conversion of farmlands into commercial and residential areas during the plenary deliberation of the P160-billion budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Sen. Raffy Tulfo asked what the DA was doing about the shrinking spaces for farmlands in the country, noting that many of them are being converted into either subdivisions or commercial hubs. Tulfo added that he has seen this happen in his province of Isabela.

As the sponsor of the DA’s budget, Sen. Cynthia Villar claimed that property developers do not buy lands from far provinces because they are not profitable compared to those located near the cities or town capitals. Villar’s family, a known figure in real estate, owns Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc.

“Nobody will buy houses in agricultural land. We only buy in cities and capital towns. Because the buyer of houses, they want also an opportunity that if they are having financial problems, they can resell their houses. And it’s very hard to resell houses not in cities or capital towns,” said Villar.

Villar, also the head of the panel on agriculture, claimed that the purchase of lands near commercial areas can be an investment decision. After selling lands, she believes that the original owners can use the payment to relocate to a place where they can maintain their farms at a much lower cost.

But Tulfo said this setup does not apply to all cases.

“Hindi ganun ang nangyayari,” said Tulfo. “Ano ang ginagawa nila (DA) sa ganitong nangyayari sa masamang sistema na paliit nang paliit ang ating farmlands? ‘Di lang sa Cauayan sa Isabela kundi sa maraming probinsya na marami nang subdivision na nagsilipana?”

“Where will the people live if you don’t build subdivisions?” responded Villar.

“Maraming lugar na puwedeng pagtayuan ng subdivision. ‘Wag lang i-takeover ‘yung farms. Kasi kung minsan, ‘yung farmers, dahil sila ay naghihikahos, they are being taken advantage of,” lamented Tulfo.

“Where will the people live if you don’t build subdivisions?”

Senators Cynthia Villar and Raffy Tulfo got into a heated debate about the conversion of farmlands into residential and commercial areas during the 2023 budget deliberations of the Dept. of Agriculture. pic.twitter.com/kuTC4l5mmZ

— ONE News PH (@onenewsph) November 17, 2022

For Villar, residential and commercial areas can help “improve the quality of lives of people.” She added that the efficiency of farmers should be prioritized for them to maximize the use of their lands.

In line with the issue, Tulfo stressed that it’s high time to approve a National Land Use Act—one of the priority measures of President Bongbong Marcos Jr., who also serves as DA secretary.

Tulfo also mentioned the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL) approved during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Progressive groups slammed the law due to the heavy burden it has dealt on rice farmers.

“Mura ‘yung bigas na dumarating dito so they cannot compete. Then, papasok itong mga negosyante at mag-o-offer ng pera para bilhin ang kanilang mga lupain. Of course, walang choice ang farmers kundi ibenta ang kanilang lupa,” said Tulfo.

But Villar, who authored the RTL, insisted that it was also able to help rice farmers by giving back to them the taxes collected from the measure.

(PM)

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