‘Give out gov’t land now’

Reform should be swift President Rodrigo Duterte makes known his desire to distribute all government lands to Filipinos to be made in the quickest way. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) should distribute land immediately or the agency faces an overhaul while warning that he may dismiss a government official today, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

In a speech before the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association summit in Pasay City, Mr. Duterte said he directed Agrarian Reform Secretary John Castriciones to distribute government land without delay.

“Every time, my favorite topic is land reform, but when I distribute land, I do not bring media,” he said.

“Don’t take me for an idiot,” Mr. Duterte’s strong message to the DAR as he slammed the slow conversion of agricultural lands to be utilized by the masses.

“I asked former Special Assistant to the President “Bong” Go. He said the conversion of agriculture (land) to commercial took them roughly two years to process,” the Chief Executive said in his speech.

“If it takes two years to process a paper, a conversion there, you are up to corruption. I told them to finish it in one month. Why would you sleep on it? You’re making it hard for the people,” he added.

Because of this, the President warned DAR personnel to shape up or be shipped out.

“If you are listening now, those from the conversion office of DAR, better prepare because you’re fired if you don’t perform. I will sue you,” Mr. Duterte warned.

The President also said problems regarding land reform in the country will not be resolved if those tasked to address them are passive.

“We are here to serve. That is our job. It’s just a matter of telling us what the problem is,” according to the President.

The occupation of government housing projects would be different from land distribution, Mr. Duterte said, as he warned the urban poor group Kadamay from its practice of taking over unoccupied shelters.

Mr. Duterte said on Kadamay’s occupation of lands: “I issued a warning, even in Bacolod. If you do that again, I will order the military and the police to evict you.”

He added that if this is not enough “motivation” for them to do their jobs well, he might as well kill them because slow, corrupt DAR officials are “causing disorder” to the bureaucracy and public service.

“Because it’s like you’re taking me for a fool. I keep on warning you but you keep doing it,” he exclaimed.

Meanwhile, sought for comment, Castriciones said he is still confirming which people in his agency the President was alluding to.

The day before, Mr. Duterte also warned DAR officials and personnel of dismissal.

The President warned that he could fire the DAR officials and personnel if corrupt practice continues.

“If they’re listening there in the DAR conversion office, better prepare because you’re (going to get) fired,” Duterte said.

Duterte further described slow, corrupt DAR officials as “causing disorder” in the country.

He also lamented that the land reform problem in the country would never be solved if processes moved at a snail’s pace.

“You know, I told the military and police, we can never solve this problem in the Philippines unless we are able to tackle the issue of land reform,” Duterte said.

The President, meanwhile, urged the DAR to assess remaining government-owned lands which can be given to landless farmers.

“If there’s still government lands, just assess them. Within the three years of my remaining I will distribute all government-owned lands,” he added.