A peaceful settlement among conflicting groups of agrarian reform beneficiaries who belong to the Workers Amalgamated Union of the Philippines in Hacienda Carmenchica, Pontevedra, was reached yesterday, Negros Occidental agrarian reform officer Teresita Depeñoso said.

She said they brought schematic maps to the area yesterday to facilitate the raffle of lots among all WAUP members. Before they could proceed, however, the WAUP admin group led by Carlos Gutual and represented by farm administrator Edgardo Alonso said they can simplify things through a supplemental agreement, she added.

Alonso extended his hands to Wilbur Oñas, the leader of the 31 “breakaway” members as a sign of conciliation and with legal counsel Leonardo Salo, presented a supplemental agreement to resolve the dispute.

She said the two parties forged an agreement for the identification and segregation of lots for allocation and cultivation of the 31 “breakaway” members.

The agreement, which becomes supplemental to the original Memorandum of Agreement among ARBs in Carmenchica, allows for a peaceful turnover of possession of identified lots to the 31 members led by Wilbur Oñas, Depeñoso said.

It also directed the WAUP admin group led by Carlos Gutual to pay Oñas' group their shares on the lease rental due them covering crop year 2007 to be determined with the presence of a DAR representative, she said.

Onas' party, on the other hand, shall reimburse the expenses incurred by Gutual's group on the present standing crops which will be deducted from their receivable lease rental, the agreement stated.

The “breakaway” group of Oñas will be allowed to occupy and cultivate the vacant lots apportioned to them including the areas allocated to them under the agreement after this crop year's harvest season, Depeñoso said.

After explaining the contents of the supplemental agreement to all concerned ARBs, she said DAR facilitated the raffle and plotting of lots to Onas' group, she said.

Depeñoso also expressed appreciation for the cooperation and attention of the ARBs from both sides for their peaceful co-existence inside Carmenchica.*NAB

back to top