The book, Unfinished Business: Land Reform in the Sugarlands, written by Xenia Palses-Tupas.*

An assessment of the implementation of land reform in Negros Occidental has been published in a book entitled “The Unfinished Business: Land Reform in the Sugarlands.”

The 360-page book is a documentation of land reform implementation in the sugarlands which has become contentious and resulted to polarization in the province since the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law took effect in June 1988, its author, Xenia Palses-Tupas said.

The publication of the book, whose conclusion includes program recommendations, comes at a time when there is a debate over the extension of the program, which expires this year.

A major part of the book are case studies and experiences in different haciendas based on the work of the author, who is former chairperson of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Coordinating Committee of Negros Occidental and as staff of the Negros Rural Development Institute from 1995 to 2005.

The book also covers unpublished data and information on land reform from the researches conducted by NRDI and the author with government implementing agencies and in the communities.

Problems affecting agencies on agrarian reform implementation were also chronicled as well as the attempts of agrarian reform beneficiaries at productivity.

Tupas said the book dissects the beginnings of the sugar industry to the chronology of events which led to the passage of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law to the problems affecting the early stage of land reform implementation until the creation of the Task Force Sugarlands and the growth of the agrarian reform movement and advocacy.

The book also discusses physical takeovers and installations as well as experiences of the beneficiaries from the Benedicto landholdings and the Cojuangco joint venture agreement, Tupas said.

The situation of the ARBs involved in sugarcane production is also tackled as well as the various development models and alternative programs of both the government and the non-government sector.

For inquiries, please contact Cedelf Tupas through cell phone number 09178010055. *

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Friendship village completed

The second phase of the Dutch Escalante Friendship Village in Escalante City, Negros Occidental has been completed, Executive Director Santiago Barcelona Jr. of the expanded Kalinga Escalante Negros said in a press release.

The project turned over 56 houses in February to the homeowners, completing 112 houses for the two phases of the village. The project team surpassed the 110 houses budgeted under the NCDO supported program.

NCDO is the Dutch National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development. Through its counterpart funding, NCDO matched the funds raised by Kalinga Escalante 21 through Stichting Fuente Verde, RC Church of Our Saviour, The Hague and the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in The Netherlands, and many volunteers who supported the project in Europe, the press release said.

The completion of the village brings to five villages and three housing projects turned over to new homeowners. Since it started, Kalinga Escalante 21 benefited about 4,000 people, the press release added.*

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Portrait unveiled at hospital

As a tribute to the generosity of the Montelibano family and their concern for public healthcare, a portrait of Doña Corazon Locsin Montelibano was unveiled Friday at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Regional Memorial Hospital.

Present to unveil the commemorative picture, placed in the second landing of CLMMRH administrative building, were the matriarch’s grandson Andy Montelibano and Jhay Montelibano, widow of the late Negros Occidental governor and Bacolod City mayor Alfredo Montelibano Jr.

Expressing her gratitude in behalf of the Montelibano family, Mrs. Montelibano said it was an occasion her husband “Junior” would have wanted to witness. She said that Doña Corazon was very religious and was a loving wife and mother to her children.

CLMMRH chief Epifania Simbul said the ceremony is part of the celebration of the hospital’s 82nd Founding Anniversay. The Montelibanos she said had been very generous in donating the land area where the hospital now stands.*NAB

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80 government scholars
graduate in Talisay City

Eighty scholars enrolled in the Scholarship Para sa Masa Program in Talisay City, Negros Occidental graduated from college recently, a press release from the city said.

They were honored at the 6th Panginbulahan 2008 held at the De La Rama Hall, at New Talisay City Hall.

Mayor Eric Saratan gave a message before the giving of plaques of appreciation to TUP-Visayas and CHMSC as program partners. Saratan led the awarding of medals and certificates to graduates, with Councilors Remus Gulmatico, Felix Hiballes and JunJun Treyes, and in the presence of  barangay captains.

Rosalinda Tuvilla, chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, gave the welcome remarks followed by a response from Josua Precioso, a scholar who graduated cum laude in BEED at Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, the press release added.*

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