October 30, 2007, Tuesday, will be Day 21 of the 60-day ‘March for Land’ to Manila of 54 Sumilao farmers from Bukidnon. They began the grueling journey on foot from Mindanao last October 10, 2007—10 years since 15 of them came here for a hunger strike to regain their 144-hectare ancestral land.
Meanwhile, Manila’s respected musicians will show the farmers early support with a benefit gig on October 30, 9 PM at Route 196 (formerly Inihaw Republic) on 196 Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City. The event will feature performances by long-time advocates Chickoy Pura and Bayang Barrios, and rising indie bands, Purple Chickens, Ang Bandang Shirley, and Soft Pillow Kisses. Produced by Last Song Syndrome and SALIGAN (Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal), an alternative legal resource center to local communities, women, the urban poor, peasant and labor sectors, proceeds will go to the ongoing fundraising initiative of Task Force Sumilao, an advocacy network of sectoral, civil society, church and student organizations.
The Sumilao farmers are expected to arrive in Manila by December 10 with the same unfulfilled demand. With their recurrent plea for land ownership to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is an appeal for the passage of HB 1257, a bill to extend and reform the current Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Throughout the trek they have been joined by other farmers, and welcomed by locals and motorists in the provinces.
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