The government's lack of action and the selfish greed that motivates Untouchable Landlords

by: Bettina Camille S. Martirez

In our country today, over the course of the past few months. We have been faced and confronted with various issues that seem to plague and cause more chaos and violence than we can handle. At the same time these problems can never seem to mitigate or be resolved by the means or plan of actions that our entrusted government officials are doing. As we go on, day by day it feels as if there are more issues piling up and they never seem to disappear. Thus the situation in which our country seems to be seen in is a downward spiral that only seems to be going down, more and more each day.

Issues such as corruption, poverty, the EJK’s, the P 1000 budget for the Commission of Human Rights, the war on Marawi and many more. Just go to show the insufficient, ineffective and the lack of judgement our government officials have in trying to resolve the country. It is there selfish desires that cause the state of our country to be as it is. In relation, this would result to why these individuals are not initiating effective nor thinking of appropriate solutions to be able to resolve and alter the bad state of our country. As well as the hundreds, thousands of Filipinos that have to thrive in the sufferings that these issues cause.

Millions of Filipinos everyday have to suffer the implications/consequences caused by the government’s naivety in trying to initiate progress for the country as they had initially promised. Kids and new born babies being carried by their parents begging for more than just money, their dignity, a chance at survival. Have to ensue actions and desperate means such as these due to their inability to come up with means of a livelihood in supporting their loved ones. These are one of the few actions being done by majority of the masses here in the country to ensure at least a somewhat of a livelihood for their loved ones and themselves. In provinces all across the country, there are Filipinos who suffer the effects of those who over power/dominate over them, and these are individuals who obtain an enormous amount of control and power which intimidate the people. They are figures who contain a lot of authority and influence either with their reputation or due to the immense amount of their resources,  that gives them an upper hand to be placed at an even higher pedestal. As well as helping them attain what they want through means of blackmail. 

Thus a lot of social inequality comes out due to the imbalance of power that is only circulated around and within the confines and boundaries of the elitists. So most of the citizens in the country are prone in using means of rally’s and protests to be able to stand up against the injustice that constantly happens. One of which is focused on the agricultural sector wherein, farmers from Kidapawan City had blocked the Davao-Cotabato highway on April 1. Demanding for government assistance due to their inability to handle or cope with the effects of drought that are occurring in there area. Thus they had organized a protest in order for them to fully express and let their government officials hear out and listen towards their sentiments. The protest was also caused due to the consistent negligence of responding towards the farmers in the means of government aid/assistance.

Although the government had decided to rather enact by relying upon law enforcement to resolve and fix the matter instead. Through contacting the police to be able to face the farmers. Rather than hearing and trying to assist the issues/dilemmas of these farmers. Who are individuals who have been our number one source of providing us with one of our most significant necessities and who work tremendous hours just for us to be able to have food in our stomachs. Yet us people can’t even seem to give them the time of day in responding towards their needs. Which are very much simple desires such as sacks of rice and protection against the drought. But instead of using peaceful means to mitigate the matter they use means of violence to do it for them. As a result, it was reported that 13 were hurt and one was killed during the chaos. But in the police's defense the farmers were becoming and starting to become violent using means of throwing rocks at them, shoving and pushing them. 

Another issue that has come out was landlords owning and holding up to 76% of untouched lands mostly rampant in the area of Negros Ocidental. It focuses on the landlords who obtain an immense amount of land without valid NOC’s (Notice of Coverage), meaning that the government did not fully process the rights of the land to be acquired by such landlords. With Negros Ocidental having the most lands without valid NOC’s. Another said cause was due to stubborn-greedy-land lord families such as the Araneta’s, who contain the biggest landholdings in Negros. In both issues, you could see a certain resemblance in regards to their deprivation of listening and responding towards the needs of farmers. Preventing them from getting a just and fair compensation for the constant work that they do in order for our lives to be fed, and this is how we repay them is such an unfair/injustice action. Those who obtain more control, wealth, influence are those who choose to disregard the farmers intentions and turn away from their needs. They choose to keep these resources of land, food, protection in climates of weather towards themselves. In the needs of farmers, why is it that we have to push them away and not look back? Why does the government seem to act so cruel towards these individuals? Why can't we seem to pay attention and learn to prioritize them as individuals who are our equals?

In the first issue, it was based on the government’s lack of response towards the farmers who are in desperate need of their help. They exhibit a lack of care and sensitivity towards the farmers. All because of the position of these farmers, who are always at the bottom of the social hierarchy. Who seem to many influential and powerful people, individuals who are nothing. As to why the mayors in their area would refuse to listen or respond towards them because of the reputation and of who farmers are in this country. Their status and class mean nothing towards powerful and wealthy people, who are constantly used to being at the top of everyone. They are motivated by gaining and obtaining power and authority, as to why they act so cruel towards others who are below their standard of their stature of power since they want to make sure that they wouldn’t overthrow them. In addition, it is also their own personal intentions, interests and motivations of wanting to have the most money, wealth and attaining a high financial status that consumes over them. Thus paving them to do selfish actions in order for them to achieve those desires. Despite of the violent and aggressive behaviour of these farmers for acting out on the law enforcement agents, shouldn't justify for the police and law enforcement to attempt in killing innocent individuals who are in need of a support for their livelihood. At the same time nor does it justify the fact that it was initiated due to the governments ignorant behaviour and by sending in the police to fix the issue. As a result which makes them become violent due to the insensitivity and ignorance the government officials in that area exhibit. Rather than fulfilling their promises which they swear on oath by learning to listen and respond towards the concerns of the people. 

While on the second issue it is solely focused on the selfish motivations and intentions which these landlords are only interested in. Such as making a business deal and earning a profit out of holding these immense amounts of lands. At the same time, it is the power and control which you obtain from keeping and getting these lands, which initiate them even more to do actions such as these. Especially if it happens that it has been kept in your family’s name for decades. Thus it also becomes passed down towards generations and generations, influencing one and the other to do the same as the previous one before. Thus, it is out of power and wealth as to why landlords would want to acquire these lands instead of distributing it towards the farmers. To earn money as well as to gain dominance. Though in the latter part of the article it was stated the President Rodrigo Duterte was able to get a hold of the matter/issue of the farmers. Thus he is trying his best to contact the CARP to ensure that these acts of these landlords are being put to a stop. Since the President himself loathes individuals like landlords. But it was never mentioned about any other response from the government nor the President as of now. 

Landlords are individuals who are driven by money, control, gaining influence and the materialistic attitude of life. Thus they are highly keen on wanting to be wealthier, as to why they are so greedy, corrupt and selfish. Due to their desire of being at the top or part of the elite. They are motivated by their desire and goal of money and earning an immense amount of it, as a result, they become so fixed on their greedy desires which is why they do such unjustly means in order to accomplish that desire. Through the use of bribes, blackmailing or threatening and simply doing shady business in order to attain their goal. The use of threatening due to the power and influence the landlords obtain is a big factor in making them get what they want and when they want it because of how big they seem towards the majority of individuals. As well as the fact that they imply punishments and the act of doing consequences if people wouldn’t follow their commands and orders.

As our elected government officials, they should have the decency to enable and enact upon a sense of urgency and the act of being alert. Regardless of the status or how crazy the stunts that the masses would initiate or organize. Should never be the government's reliance on law enforcement to resolve the matter but for them to hear their intentions and thoughts on the masses act of doing such events. Thus it is what they swear on oath upon, to be responsible for the problems which the people and the country go through and what must be done to mediate and solve the issue. To encapsulate everything, as people we should learn to focus on matters of people that are in a cry for help, that need support in their lives and never to turn them away and leave them in the dust. But rather to listen and hear what they need to say and what they want to happen. To reach a compromise and for the government to start doing and initiating peaceful means in mediating issues. But most of all for everyone to become one and united as a country, and as one people. 

Sources:
https://www.rappler.com/nation/127852-kidapawan-farmers-protest-dispersal
https://www.rappler.com/nation/134007-farmers-duterte-iron-fist-untouchable-landlords-negros