Another probe. Another hope. Holders of the Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) in the 73-hectare disputed land in Barangay Anunas, Angeles City hold tight as the chance for a Senate probe lies with the Committee chair on Agriculture, Food, and Agrarian Reform, Senator Cynthia Villar.
It is not unknown to many how she is when it comes to property development. After all, their family owns businesses in real estate. How much hope do you think these CLOA holders have?
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros went to visit the former residents of Sitio Balubad at the Anunas Covered Court on April 24 to personally hear their sentiments and check their situation.
Hontiveros went to see these residents after her visit to the controversial offshore gaming operator Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated in Bamban, Tarlac. But that is another story to tell for later.
These families of urban farmers in Angeles City were forced to flee their homes in March after a series of violent demolitions that slowly and painfully tore down their hope. It was chaotic, daunting, and gloomy that these residents have continued to hold on to each other because that is what they have left – each other.
Speaking on behalf of them all include a farmer and his daughter, a mother, and a member of an indigenous community from a nearby province whose ancestral domain is also allegedly being claimed by some other private contenders. Yes, another land dispute. Another fear rising. Another story to look forward to some other time, hopefully, soon.
These former residents were seeking the silver lining in their losing battle and a respite to keep their faith strong and their hearts together towards the end of their struggle.
The senator was all ears and said they would rally behind them and recommend their case to Villar. Together with her legislative head, she stood in front of them and evoked memories of that light at the end of the tunnel – a Villar kind of light, that is.