Pubdate: Sat, 19 Mar 2005
Source: Sun.Star Baguio (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2005/02/27/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1942
Author: Rimaliza Opina
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

AWARDING OF MARIJUANA LAND TO FARMERS SOUGHT

IN A bid to stop marijuana cultivation in the region, Chief
Superintendent Jesus Verzosa, director of the Police Regional Office
(PRO) in the Cordillera, is asking for the immediate awarding of
alienable and disposable lands in areas identified as marijuana
plantation sites.

Verzosa made the appeal to the Department of Land of Reform saying it
would be easier for the police to identify cultivators of marijuana if
the area where the prohibited plant is grown has an identified owner.

He added that in most of their operations, the police have been
limited to uprooting marijuana because allegedly, there are no
identified owners of marijuana plantations, as most are grown in
public lands.

"There is a need for ownership. Someone has to have responsibility, so
we (can) charge them," Verzosa said, as he added that tribal
affiliations and ancestral claims should not be prejudiced.

The presence of the New People's Army (NPA) has to be considered as
well, Verzosa stressed, as he said that the safety of the occupants is
assured. Verzosa said Kapangan and Tinglayan remain to be "areas of
concern" as far as marijuana cultivation is concerned.

Senior Superintendent Villamor Bumanglag, director of the Benguet
Provincial Police Office (BPPO), said in the past year, 732,000
fully-grown marijuana plants have been uprooted in 21 sites in
Kapangan alone.

It was noted however that poverty remains to be the main reason why
some resort to cultivating marijuana as most of those apprehended
tested negative of drug abuse.

Verzosa, meanwhile, said because marijuana easily grows in cold
climate without the requirement of having to tend to it regularly,
some have even resorted to clearing the forests to grow marijuana.

Kapangan Mayor Rogelio Leon, for his part, admitted that marijuana
cultivation has even a family enterprise to some.

In Tinglayan, Kalinga, Mayor Johnny Maymaya said poverty is also the
reason why some resort to marijuana cultivation. On the average, one
family has an annual income of P20,000, which he said, is obviously
insufficient to meet the demands of a household for even a day.

"Harvested crops are insufficient to last until the next cropping
season," Maymaya lamented.

There are seven sitios located in seven barangays in Kapangan
identified as areas where marijuana is grown - Sitio Alem and Liteng
in Barangay Sagubo, Sitio Lao-angan and Kopyas in Barangay Gadang,
Sitio Toplak and Tadayan in Barangay Bodong and Sitio Tawang in
Barangay Beling-belis.

Both officials, meanwhile, committed to stopping the cultivation and
trade of marijuana as livelihood projects have already been planned.

Maymaya said marijuana plantations shall be converted to coffee
plantations. Leon, on the other hand, said that aside from anthurium
cultivation, fish breeding would also be developed in his
municipality. 
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