Bulacan addresses the issue on too much land reclassification and conversion

CITY OF MALOLOS – The Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado addressed the concern on ‘too much’ land reclassification and conversion of productive land that might affect the food production during the Usapang Agri: “Pangangalaga sa Lupang Sakahan” Forum held at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center on Tuesday.

“Bulacan is so blessed pero nangangamba rin tayo because of too much reclassification and conversion. Nagigising na lang tayo may tambak na ang mga lupang sakahan nagiging urbanized na. Ang nagiging problema natin ‘yung pagbebenta. Kung aalukan mo ng P30 milyon kada isang ektarya, mag-isiip ang magsasaka kesa maghapon silang magpagod madalas lugi pa. Pero tingnan natin lagi if it is according with the mandate of the law,” Alvarado said.

The governor said this in the light that Bulacan produces more than 60 percent of all vegetable, meat and fish being sold in all public markets in Metro Manila.
For his part, Vice Gov. Daniel R. Fernando said that although technology keeps on advancing and progress is really where the province is headed to, it is indeed true that people cannot eat buildings and too much reclassification might cause hunger in the long run.

“Nananawagan tayo sa National Irrigation Administration na ayusin ang patubig kasi nagiging dahilan ‘to ng pagbebenta ng lupa ng mga magsasaka,” Fernando said.
The event became a venue for proper and clearer discussion wherein important topics were discussed including the Productivity and Protection of Agricultural Lands by Engr. Michael Manansala from the Department of Agriculture, Region 3; Powers and Responsibilities of LGUs on Land Reclassification by Jayson Jumaquio from the Department of the Interior and Local Government; Process and Requirements of Land Conversion by Atty. Raparado Galos III from the Bureau of Agrarian Reform, Legal Assistance Region 3, and; Process on Land Development by Engr. Perlito Abello from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board.

During the open forum, Municipal Planning and Development Officer Rita Dianne Borlongan from Guiguinto asked the resource speakers about the municipalities exceeding the limitation that the local government code set for the land conversion.

Atty. Galos answered that if that happens, the Sanggunian Bayan should be notified, then the Provincial Board and the DILG so as to know what else should be done that can be grounds for the non-approval of the applications.

The forum was set pursuant to the governor’s Executive Order No.1 s 2018, an act on strict implementation of Sec. 20 in relation to Sec. 56 of Local the Government Code regarding the reclassification of the agricultural land in Bulacan.