Business leaders and economists on Thursday asked the government to carefully review the proposal of the Agrarian Reform Department to prohibit the conversion of agricultural lands into non-agricultural purposes and review all land conversions, stock distribution and leasehold arrangements.
The business groups welcomed the clarification of DAR Undersecretary Marcos Risonar that such lands could still be converted as long as they are within priority areas identified by the Trade, Agriculture and Tourism Departments and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, but still expressed apprehension over the effect of the moratoriumon the entry of investments.
The business and economist groups including Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Foundation for Economic Freedom, Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Philippine Exporters Confederation, American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, European Chamber of Commerce and Japanese Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines expressed their apprehension at the proposal of the Agrarian Reform Department to impose a moratorium on farmland conversion.
The groups said this could set back the goal of developing more economic zones, expanding the manufacturing industry, accelerating infrastructure projects and decongesting urban areas.
