In lieu of Hacienda Luisita

If the owners of Hacienda Luisita are unusually calm about giving up the farm, “rumor” has it that it could be because there is something better down south.

For some strange reason, I have been receiving a stream of information and intervention in relation to DENR Secretary Ramon Paje and the former Yulo King Ranch that the DENR took back from the Department of Agriculture, which used the ranch as the country’s prime cattle breeding station.

Not long ago an ex-military officer apparently looked into the possibility of acquiring or leasing part of the huge site under a special privilege of merit. The former officer/hero was allegedly told that the DENR leadership needed to cool things down because “Cito Beltran” had been writing about the particular project.

To my recollection, I was merely suggesting to Secretary Paje to review and audit all lease agreements for the said property because certain companies had reportedly acquired large tracts of land simply as bargaining chips against whoever would eventually develop the old YKR.

Of greater importance to my mind was for Secretary Paje to reconsider reinstating the Department of Agriculture as the primary tenant for purposes of rebuilding what used to be our only prime cattle breeding station in the Philippines.

To his credit, or so I’ve been told, Secretary Paje has ordered a review of all lease agreements and termination of non performing parties. Last I heard they were seriously looking into how they could commission a mix use business plan for the entire ranch.

Last week, a friend from college called from nowhere to arrange a get together with the Secretary to clear up issues about the Yulo King Ranch, mining, as well as illegal logging. Apparently, it seems that the Secretary’s fraternity brother suspects that certain information are not reaching the Secretary.

If the meeting is scheduled, I do hope that this time it actually happens because they have cancelled once, and this seems to be a bad habit of P-Noy cabinet members. A number of them bail out at the last minute and tell people that the President was calling them to Malacañang.

What some of them fail to consider is, we have contacts in Malacañang who can tell us if the President is actually meeting with this or that cabinet member. Overall it just leaves a bad taste in the mouth when cabinet members or their assistants make appointments and then bail out. That of course is another topic.

Yesterday, I stumbled on a story once again related to the Yulo King Ranch. It seems that a very enterprising and visionary tisoy in the restaurant or food business, has been busy putting together a “dream team” to rebuild the old glory of YKR.

The non-political gentleman has reportedly partnered with someone from Hacienda Luisita and will get 22,000 hectares of the Yulo King Ranch to rebuild the cattle ranch of old. Following historical practice, the partners are presently in search of corporate partners in New Zealand or Australia. 

I certainly look forward to meeting up with Secretary Paje just to find out if this story is true and if the group really has control over 22,000 hectares because right now, all attempts to find out the name of companies that have acquired leases in the area have simply been ignored.

I personally have no problems with the gentleman and someone from Hacienda Luisita acquiring 22,000 hectares to put up a cattle ranch, even though they absolutely have no idea about cattle ranching. My concern is what about the Department of Agriculture? Why is the DA placed last on the list of priorities?

If anyone should have a cattle breeding station, it is the DA and all other private corporations should come second.

Speaking of priorities now would be a good time for President Noynoy Aquino to review and reorganize the government’s disaster response mechanism and setup.

For decades, various administrations have counted on local officials and the DSWD to take charge whenever a disaster occurs. The irony is that when the local officials and the DSWD find themselves overwhelmed, it is usually private foundations, media organizations and NGOs who take over the collection and distribution of relief goods, medical missions etc.

As it is, we have perpetually been dependent on Media companies, foundations, and civic groups to run things on their own and the AFP/PNP simply providing manpower of providing security. In most cases, things end up becoming “kanya-kanya” because of corporate or political competition. Many times, the national government simply steps back and monitors the evolution of disaster relief rather than being actively in control and in-charge.

It is about time that government re-establish its control just like developed nations do. Whether we “Send the Marines”, bring in the Army, Navy or Air Force, the government and its security personnel should be in charge.

For starters, the President should consider making the AFP/PNP as the first response and first in command when it comes to handling disaster situations. Time and again we have seen that local governments do not have the capabilities or logistics to handle disasters and calamities of “national” proportion.

Only our AFP/PNP has the manpower, the logistics and the culture of service as well as weapons that can be on the ground for extended periods. Instead of using our men and women in uniform as “cheap labor” or security, we should recognize, design and develop our AFP/PNP.

Under a new system, the President can designate a special branch or service whose leader or leaders would be tasked to be first responders to assess a situation, call in the necessary personnel and logistics and manage things on the ground. All others can still contribute but this time they take orders and not give orders to the AFP or the PNP.

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