Villar, Tulfo lock horns over conversion of farmlands into subdivisions
Senator Raffy Tulfo and Senator Cynthia Villar got into a heated exchange during the deliberation of the 2023 national budget over the issue of private developers buying farmland to convert into residential and commercial spaces.
During his interpellation of the proposed 2023 budget of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Tulfo raised the issue of the gradual loss of agricultural lands in the provinces.
“Lumiliit po nang lumiliit ang ating farmland. Binibili po ng malalaking developer at ginagawang residential at commercial land. Ano po ang ginagawa ng DA tungkol dito?” Tulfo asked Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and sponsor of the proposed P160.85 billion budget of the DA for next year.
Villar, who owns property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., disagreed and said developers like them do not buy lands in provinces.
“That’s our business. I want to tell you that we don’t buy agricultural lands in the provinces. Nobody will buy houses on agricultural lands,” Villar answered.
Villar further explained that developers can only buy houses in cities and capital towns because it is easier for people to sell said properties.
But Tulfo insisted that he has proof that many farmlands are being subdivided in the provinces.
“Kaya nga po ‘yan po ‘yung dahilan bakit gusto ko po na maipasa na po ‘yung National Land Use Act,” stated Tulfo.
Villar reiterated that property developers cannot buy agricultural land in the provinces and are only allowed to convert the land into subdivisions in cities in the province.
Tulfo further asked what the DA’s plan is to resolve the issue of converting agriculture to subdivision.
Villar then said Tulfo should also look at the business side of agriculture.
“If you have an opportunity to sell your land at a higher price and be able to buy a bigger piece of land with the same money in less prime places, then you will do it,” she added.
Tulfo pushed his question on what actions the DA plans to take to address the issue of lands turning into subdivisions.
Villar then interrupted Tulfo and said: “Where will the people live if you don’t build subdivisions?”
To which Tulfo answered, “Marami pong ibang lugar na pwede pong pagtayuan ng subdivisions. Wag lang po i-take over ‘yung mga farms.
Tulfo further emphasized that property developers are taking advantage of farmers because they earn little due to the high prices of fertilizers and other farming inputs. He said this is because of the ‘Rice Tariffication Law’.
Villar immediately defended the law, which she had authored.
“I wrote the Rice Tariffication Law because in 2018 the price of rice rose to almost ₱50 to ₱60 per kilo,” said Villar.
“I have no guilt to rice farmers. All the money that came from the Rice Tariffication Law was given back. I wrote that law,” she added.
Before the argument could further escalate, Senate President Migz Zubiri interjected and ordered a minute-long suspension.
Villar became the subject on online feeding frenzy once again with netizens criticizing the senator for allegedly prioritizing the interests of real estate developers to which her family belongs to those of farmers who feed the nation. Others also pointed out the apparent conflict of interest in having a senator whose primary business is real estate also serve as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.
