Mainstream farmers belonging to the peasant group Aniban ng Magsasaka, Mangingisda, at Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMMA-Katipunan) signed a petition endorsing the conversion of 213-hectare area from agricultural to industrial in Barangay Sumalo, this town.
About 150 mainstream farmers mostly from villages of Hermosa and Dinalupihan already signed the petition and the number is expected to increase with farmers from other towns already signifying their support, according to Rey Rentoza, chairman of Hermosa-based Pulang Lawin Farmers Association, a member-association of AMMA-Katipunan.
“It is timely to give way for the conversion of the land from agricultural to industrial to benefit Sumalo residents by giving them plenty of livelihood opportunities”, he said.
“We see a progressive Sumalo in the future with institutions in place to serve the public and residents occupying permanent site”, he added.
Riverforest Development Corporation (RDC), the company that owns the property formerly known as Litton Estate, has expressed bright prospect for industrial growth in the area given its accessibility and strategic location being near to two economic zones-Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Hermosa Economic Zone.
Farmers signed the petition in a meeting dubbed Pulong-Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Magsasaka’t Batayang Sektor para sa Pagsusulong ng Tunay at Makabuluhang Kaunlaran ng Barangay Sumalo held in the village last week.
