Approximately a thousand residents of Nasugbu, Batangas gathered at Makati’s Freedom Park today, June 6, 2024, to protest the plans of Roxas and Company, Inc. (“RCI”) to evict an estimated 50,000 residents from Haciendas Palico, Banilad, and Kaylaway (the “Roxas Haciendas”) covering up to 2941 hectares in 9 barangays.
The delegation was led by officials of the local government unit (“LGU”) of Nasugbu, Batangas, led by Vice Mayor Mildred Sanchez, the Sangguniang Bayan (“SB”), and barangay captains of the 9 affected barangays. Among the affected areas include Barangay Aga, a whole barangay that would be demolished to make way for RCI’s planned real estate development.
In Makati, the delegation visited the head offices of Bank of the Philippine Islands (“BPI”), Development Bank of the Philippines (“DBP”), and RCI itself, before proceeding to the head offices of the Department of Agrarian Reform (“DAR”), Land Bank of the Philippines (“LBP”), and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (“BSP”), to deliver copies of SB Resolution No. 118.
SB Resolution No. 118 seeks to call on BSP, LBP, DBP, BPI, among others, not to grant financial support or any extension of loans in favor of RCI until such time that it settles its obligations with affected agrarian reform beneficiaries (“ARBs”) over the disputed lands. Several of these are past due or delinquent loans, giving its banks a way to take control of RCI by bringing it into rehabilitation or foreclosing on its land. RCI had a total of P4 billion of loans as of March 31, 2024 according to RCI’s published financial statements.
SB Resolution No. 118 also declared persona non grata the board of directors and officers of RCI, along with the Roxas, Elizalde, Madrigal, and Montinola families who are identified with RCI. The resolution also called to suspend any business permits for any business or project in Nasugbu, Batangas of RCI and those who support RCI.
In response to a letter from the Nasugbu LGU, BPI voiced its “appreciation” for the LGU’s efforts, noting that “BPI will seriously consider the contents of the SB Resolution 118, especially the concern of your Sangguniang Bayan for the farmers of your good town in the conduct of its business in the area.”
Land Bank, DBP, and BSP meanwhile confirmed they will be meeting with the Nasugbu LGU to discuss the contents of SB Resolution 118.
Nasugbu Vice Mayor Sanchez expressed her appreciation for the response of the banking community: “We are encouraged by the willingness of government agencies and financial institutions to support Nasugbu. We are calling for more equitable compensation for our residents and a commitment that there will be no forced eviction in the Roxas Haciendas. The collection of real property taxes from RCI can also be used by our municipality for healthcare, education, and other social services, to improve the standard of living in our town.”
About The Author
