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. - ---