Farmers organizations warned that agricultural land conversion and large-scale development projects could displace farming communities, threaten food production and undermine farmers’ access to land.

By Wendyl Geronimo

Farmers organizations in the Bicol region have raised concerns over alleged land grabbing and agricultural land conversion involving haciendas, mining operations, renewable energy developments and infrastructure projects.

The farmers travelled to Manila late in October to call on the Marcos Jr. administration to stop land grabbing and land-use conversion of agricultural lands.

In Camarines Norte, peasant groups identified 25,000 hectares associated with the Mabilo Copper-Gold Project, while another 64,884 hectares were linked to a renewable energy development in Mount Labo.

An additional 321 hectares were identified in connection with mining operations in the province.

In Albay, the organizations identified several disputed landholdings, including 141 hectares at Hacienda Mitra/Illas in Guinobatan, 130 hectares at Hacienda Alsua in Pio Duran, 250 hectares at Hacienda Asistio in Ligao, and 200 hectares at Hacienda Ribaya, also in Ligao.

Another 78 hectares were identified at a Hacienda Alsua property, alongside 34 hectares associated with the expansion of Bicol University.

Agricultural land conversion was also reported in Daraga, including 148 hectares for the core site of Bicol International Airport and another 200 hectares for its expansion site.

An additional 110 hectares were identified for conversion associated with the Cagraray Eco-Park and Misibis Bay development.

In Camarines Sur, peasant organizations identified 817 hectares allegedly affected by land grabbing allegedly involving the Tuazon/Lao family in Bula, 244 hectares at Hacienda Veneracion in Pamplona, and 1,014 hectares in Barangay San Ramon, Siruma.

The groups also cited 309 hectares associated with the Naga Agro-Industrial Complex and between 300 and 500 hectares for an airport extension in Naga City.

In Masbate, peasant groups identified 1,807 hectares at Hacienda Pecson in Cawayan, and 13,000 hectares allegedly affected by land grabbing involving the Wanglo/Belon family in Aroroy.

Meanwhile, 700 hectares at Hacienda Beringer were identified in Sorsogon, alongside other land disputes and conversion projects.

In Catanduanes, the groups reported 111 hectares allegedly affected by land grabbing in Gigmoto.

Farmers organizations warned that agricultural land conversion and large-scale development projects could displace farming communities, threaten food production and undermine farmers’ access to land.

342 human rights violations recorded 

Farmers defending their land are met with state violence, according to the data from human rights organization Karapatan Bicol. The group reported 342 incidents of alleged human rights violations from July 2022 to July 2026 across the region.

The organization documented 28 victims of extrajudicial killings, 297 cases of threats, harassment and intimidation, 146 cases of coercion, 91 cases of red-tagging, and 75 violations of freedom of association.

It also documented 23 political prisoners, and 55 cases involving attacks on or the use of schools, medical facilities, religious institutions and other public places for military purposes.

Camarines Sur recorded the highest number of reported incidents at 212, followed by Albay with 48, Sorsogon with 42, Masbate with 27, Camarines Norte with 11, and Catanduanes with two.

Karapatan Bicol accused state security forces and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) of involvement in intimidation and other alleged abuses targeting rural communities and peasant organizations.

The organization also raised concerns about military operations in farming communities, alleging that these have contributed to fear and restrictions on organizing. (RVO)