LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Stakeholders of the La Trinidad strawberry farm at the swamp area and project implementors of a flood control project have entered into a peaceful settlement to resolve earlier matters that caused delays in the implementation of the flood control project.
Peter S. Bulangen, president of the Swamp Farmers Association Inc. (SFAI), said their conditions and demands have been settled during a simple dialogue over the week.
Bulangen said, among their agreements discussed, are: during the implementation of the project, no strawberry farmer would be displaced; included in the flood control project would be access for farmers to the water source; and the possible construction of an additional water filtration system within the area.
Sometime February this year, SFAI requested the termination and transfer of a flood control project which will displace farmers because of the project.
The request was made in a letter forwarded to De Isagani Cayme, OIC district engineer of the Benguet Engineering District of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-BED).
The letter was signed by Richard B. Kilaan, lead convenor of Lawyers for Farmers, legal counsel of the Swamp Farmers Assoc. Inc. (SFAI), and conformed by Peter S. Bulangen, president Swamp Farmers Association Inc., and the members of the association
The letter was received on Feb. 21, 2022, by the DPWH-BED.
The letter stated, “In a consultation held on Feb. 18, 2022, attended by members of the Swamp Farmers Assoc Inc. (SFAI), representatives of the Benguet State University (BSU), barangay officials of Betag, La Trinidad and representatives of your office. it appears that there is no prior consultation, knowledge or consent of BSU and the SFAI of the flood control project.”
“Be it noted that the property where you intend to implement the flood control project is property of BSU and our client, the Swamp Farmers Association Inc., have an existing lease contract with BSU. Hence, their prior consent is needed before any project or undertaking is to be implemented in the property.” The stated.
The letter stressed, “we ask your good office to terminate and to transfer the implementation of the flood control project to other areas. Otherwise, our office will be constrained to file the appropriate criminal, civil and administrative action in court to protect the rights and interests of our client.”
Bulangen earlier expressed dismay as he said, “we were surprised when DPWH personnel arrived with construction materials and said we should start vacating the lands we were tending because they will start with the construction of a flood control project,” leading them to seek help from Lawyers for Farmers.
However, Bulangen, after the dialogue over the weekend, expressed satisfaction with the points and gains of the dialogue, saying “we are happy to have arrived at a win-win situation, and this time all stakeholders including us tenants were consulted on the matter” .
