Davao penal farm workers rap Braganza

DAVAO CITY — Workers at penal farms in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte have complained about the failure of Agrarian Reform Secretary Hernani Braganza to effectively implement the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) in their areas.

Members of the Panaghiusa sa Kalamboan sa Agraryo sa Dapecol Farms said government-owned land such as the Dapecol Farms, should have been among the first to be placed under CARP coverage.

A number of the workers at the penal farms are family members of inmates who have been allowed to work after showing good behavior inside the prison facility.

The farm workers, who are affiliated with the Solidarity of Landless Workers of Davao, asked for an inquiry into the practice of the Department of Agrarian Reform of allowing non-government organizations to enter into contracts with companies in operating farms in government-owned land. — Edith Regalado