Lapanday commits to Mindanao dev’t

MANILA, Philippines - Lapanday Foods Corp. (LFC) said it will remain a major contributor to the growth and development of Mindanao despite the recent coordinated attacks to its packaging plants in Mandug, Davao City.

The Lorenzo-owned firm said it has always stood by what is just and fair in dealing with its employees, customers, other business partners and the communities where it operates, and is steadfast in exercising only what is legal and lawful in all of its dealings and agreements.

LFC said it is confident that as a law-abiding company, it will continue to forge good and transparent relationships with various stakeholders. In turn, it expects that it is given its due to peacefully and safely operate under an environment that guarantees that LFC’s personnel, operations and facilities are not endangered nor unfairly undermined.

The company has renewed its offer for all parties, especially the breakaway group formed under Madaum Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Association Inc. (MARBAI) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), for a continuing constructive dialogue that shall hopefully and finally resolve all issues that pertain to the portion of the farm that is subject of the concerted action of MARBAI and its supporters.

Lapanday stressed that the final and executory judgment on its compromise agreement with the Hijo Employees Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Cooperative-1 (HEARBCO-1) has been upheld by the Davao City Regional Trial Court Branch 14.

This ruling was reiterated when the same court released its April 18 order. Furthermore, the court ruled the DAR has no jurisdiction on the case because it is not an agrarian dispute. The company shall nevertheless take the path that will lead towards the peaceful and fair resolution of these issues.