UN exec seeks genuine land reform

MANILA, Philippines - Saying land reform is a symbolic issue for the country’s highest official, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to food has urged President Aquino to ensure the implementation of a genuine land reform and help farmers, including those who have been awarded land.

Hilal Elver recently wrapped up her official visit to the Philippines to gather first-hand information on the realization of the right to food in the country.

Elver noted that land may have been distributed to farmers but they are often left with no assistance from the government.

She visited Luzon with Department of Agriculture (DA) officials but did not have the opportunity to visit Hacienda Luisita, owned by the President’s family.

“I did not stop there because we had to go with the Department of Agriculture and it is a serious agenda. But I know very well the issues and it has to be important, even though now it is disseminated to landless farmers. They are not happy about it because they do not get extra help,” Elver said in a press conference.

“There is a serious issue. It is a symbolic issue because it is the President’s family. I think this must be the first step for him to deal with this issue that can give him also positive legacy,” she said.

The UN rights expert said there were farmers who came to Manila to meet with her and she heard their testimonies.

She noted that the farmers, including beneficiaries of land reform, should be given resources such seeds, water and credit to be able to cultivate their land.

She assessed the efforts being made by the Philippines to achieve food and nutrition security and the obstacles it faced both at the national and international levels.

“Despite encouraging development progress made in recent years, access to sufficient and nutritious food is still reportedly limited by poverty and income levels, with the devastating impact of Typhoon Yolanda placing already vulnerable communities in a precarious situation,” Elver said.

The visit to the country was the first by an independent expert on the right to food assigned by the UN Human Rights Council.

Elver identified the main obstacles in the full realization of the right to food and proposed strategies to improve the rights of the most vulnerable in society.

During her seven-day visit, the rights expert met with senior government officials, representatives from the UN system, international agencies, the development community, civil society, the National Commission on Human Rights and individual communities in various locations throughout the country.