Farmers in the municipality of Bula, Camarines Sur in the Philippines are facing possible eviction after outside claimants asserted ownership over land that local residents say they have cultivated for decades.
Many farmers living in the villages of Barangay Pawili and Barangay Fabrica say they were shocked to learn that legal cases had been filed concerning the land they occupy, putting their homes and livelihoods at risk.
Vicente Marmol, a 63-year-old farmer from Pawili, said his family has lived and farmed in the area for most of his life. “I started working this land when I was still young,” he said. “Now I even have grandchildren. It is hard to understand how someone can suddenly claim ownership after so many years.”
Local farmers organized under the Portico Banasi Household Farmers Association (PORBAHFA) estimate that around 200 residents could be affected by the dispute. The cases stem from legal conflicts involving property claims by private individuals and a development company.
One court case filed by members of the Tan family involves a 30,000-square-meter plot of land in Fabrica, where around 20 residents have already been ordered to vacate the property. Another ongoing case related to a dispute between businessman Conrado Colarina and Ruby Shelters Builders and Development Corporation could affect more than 180 settlers from Pawili and Fabrica.
Community leaders say many residents were not initially aware that the cases involved the land where they live. Eduardo Baliber, acting president of the farmers’ association, said that those claiming ownership are not known to local residents. “We have lived here for decades and paid taxes on the land,” he said, noting that some families hold tax declarations dating back to the 1960s.
Farmers and their supporters have begun organizing meetings and public discussions to highlight concerns about land grabbing, land-use conversion, and the lack of support for small farmers. These issues were recently raised during a forum connected with the global campaign One Billion Rising.
Despite uncertainty surrounding the legal cases, many residents say they are determined to defend the land they cultivate. Some farmers have even begun guarding their fields to prevent surveys from being conducted without their knowledge.
Ana Brizuela, a 64-year-old farmer whose family may lose a 700-square-meter plot under one of the court rulings, said the land represents more than legal documents. “We have planted trees here — mango, coconut, jackfruit,” she said. “These are proof of the life we built on this land.”
For many families in the community, the dispute raises urgent questions about survival. “If we lose this land,” Baliber said, “what will happen to our families?”
