By NATIONAL – In a remarkable tale of perseverance, the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) of Hacienda Tinang have finally achieved success after three decades of relentless struggle to secure farmland in Concepcion, Tarlac, after the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) granted land rights to 90 beneficiaries.
The ARBs of Hacienda Tinang have long rallied against the exploitation of farmers and the monopolistic grip and control exerted by the Villanueva family over extensive land reserved for DAR beneficiaries.
For over 30 years, MAKISAMA-TINANG has been fighting for the 200-hectare agricultural land in Concepcion after being concealed by the Villanueva family to monopolize the land in Hacienda Tinang, maneuvering over 237 ARBs who DAR already awarded Certificates of Land Ownership. The Villanuevas, particularly Vernon and Noel Villanueva, local politicians, led the planning to control the 200-hectare land.
According to Danilo Ramos, chairman of the Kilusan ng Mambubukid ng Pilipinas, this victory is a testament to the unwavering determination of the ARBs to assert their rights and engage in dialogue with DAR. He emphasized the crucial need to continue supporting the ARBs in sustaining agricultural activities on the land.
The 200-hectare land in Hacienda Tinang is part of over 1,200 hectares of land owned by Benigno Aquino Sr., inherited by his children./PT
