THE RAPID urbanization sweeping through Western Visayas raises the need to strike a balance between development ambitions and the preservation of agricultural lands. The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) is actually intensifying its campaign against illegal and premature land conversions. But how do we grow without undermining our food security and the rights of tenant farmers?
Agricultural land is the lifeblood of rural economies and a pillar of national stability. Republic Act No. 6657, or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, was designed to protect this resource, ensuring that land remains in the hands of those who till it and contribute to our food systems. Yet, the illegal conversion of agricultural lands into subdivisions or commercial zones continues to erode these safeguards, often dispossessing tenant farmers and disrupting local food production.
Development and modernization are vital for any region, but they must not come at the expense of the agricultural sector, which employs millions and feeds our nation. The law permits land conversion under specific conditions, such as when agricultural land becomes economically unviable or is overtaken by urbanization. However, these exceptions are often abused, leading to premature conversions that bypass legal procedures and leave farming communities vulnerable.
The crackdown announced by DAR Region 6 is a welcome step toward restoring order and accountability. Landowners, developers, and even public officials complicit in unauthorized conversions must face the consequences of their actions. At the same time, it is important that urban planning aligns with agrarian reform policies, ensuring that development does not destroy fertile lands essential for food production.
Civil society organizations and advocacy groups have played a big part in bringing this matter to the forefront. Their call for greater oversight and enforcement of land-use laws reminds us that agricultural land must be seen not as a disposable commodity but as a finite resource requiring protection and judicious management.
The challenge lies in fostering sustainable development while respecting the spirit of agrarian reform. Local governments, developers, and agricultural stakeholders must work together to craft urbanization plans that preserve the delicate equilibrium between progress and preservation. Incentivizing vertical urban expansion rather than horizontal sprawl, promoting mixed-use developments, and designating protected agricultural zones are just a few strategies that can help achieve this balance.
Western Visayas must chart a path that harmonizes growth with agrarian justice. This will not only safeguard the livelihoods of farmers but also ensure a resilient food supply chain for generations to come. Development should not mean sacrificing the very lands that sustain us — it must mean building a future where farmers and urban dwellers alike thrive.
