Palace: 2-year moratorium on land conversion ‘out soon’

In this Dec. 6, 2012 file photo, Aurora farmers call for a stop to land-use conversions. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA — The draft executive order that would impose a moratorium on new applications for the conversion of agricultural lands is still under study, five months after the plan was discussed in the first meeting of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council in 10 years, according to the Palace.

But presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the order “should come out soon.”

Abella said on Wednesday the fourth draft of the executive order was already with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea for final study.

Agriculture Secretary Rafael Mariano announced in September that  President Duterte decided to impose a two-year moratorium on the conversion of agricultural lands, mostly to subdivisions and industrial parks, in order to ensure food security.

Mr. Duterte convened the PARC anew on Tuesday.