On January 4, 2026, Ana Brizuela, 64, was forced to return home in Sitio Portico, Barangay Fabrica, Bula, Camarines Sur from Manila after receiving phone calls that she was among the residents ordered to evacuate their residence by virtue of a local court ruling.

This is the first part of the two-part exclusive report of Bulatlat on farmers’ struggle for land in Bula, Camarines Sur.

SIDEBAR | Timeline: From title transfers to land disputes

BULA, Camarines Sur – “We had been here for a long time and we’re just going to be evicted.”

On January 4, 2026,  Ana Brizuela, 64, was forced to return home in Sitio Portico, Barangay Fabrica, Bula, Camarines Sur from Manila after receiving phone calls that she was among the residents ordered to evacuate their residence by virtue of a local court ruling.

The Portico Banasi Household Farmers Association (PORBAHFA) told her that the affected residents were given until January 31 to vacate the place. Judge Nydia Hebrio of the Pili Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 31 issued the order after the court hearing on October 29.

Under Civil Case No. P-2653 versus the Tan family, the local court favored the Tan family and obliged the Brizuela family to vacate the 700 square meters lot registered under Carlos L.Tan, Zenaida L, Tan – De Las Alas, and Sonny L. Tan. The hearing of the Motion for Issuance of Writ of Demolition began in September last year.

“I’m working as a housekeeper in Manila. I came home just for this,” Brizuela said.

Brizuela is among the hundreds of residents, mostly farmers, affected by land disputes in barangays Fabrica and Pawili located between the National Highway and the National Railways in Bula municipality. PORBAHFA questions how outsiders allegedly obtained the land titles without the prior knowledge of the residents.

“That’s my problem. How did they get the land title?” Brizuela retorted, saying she has been a permanent resident with the real property tax payment under her father’s name.

Brizuela showed Bulatlat a copy of the certification issued by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Iriga City dated February 16, 2001, certifying that a parcel of land (Lot No. 1912, Cad – 294) containing an area of 22,000 sq. m. was prepared for Fernando Caigas, father of Banzuela, situated in Sitio Portico, Brgy. Fabrica, Bula, Camarines Sur. It was verified on the ground and found to be within the Alienable and Disposable Land pursuant to BFD Administrative Order No. A – 2029 dated October 30, 1986.

The local agency issued a certification of the correct sketch plan of the area plotted in actual physical possession of Brizuela’s father.

In August 2018, former Brgy. Fabrica Captain Fortuno Bascuña issued a certification that Brizuela’s father, Fernando Caigas, is a property owner of a parcel of land located at Sitio Portico, Fabrica with an area of 22,000 sq. m. based on the summary of real property assessment and the certification issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources District Land Office, Iriga City on September 15, 1989. This also certified Brizuela as a daughter of Caigas.

According to Brizuela, they were told by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that the agency will facilitate the acquisition of land titles to be distributed to the residents since the covered areas are under the agency.

“The DENR told us that it will take 30 years before the land will be awarded to us who actually live here. We have names of each of us who live here, submitted to the DENR,” she related.

In 2013, Brizuela said they went to the DENR Legazpi City and a representative from DENR- Iriga City visited them. “They [DENR] said the land should be awarded to the residents here, however, there is a pending case,” Brizuela said. “We just found out there’s a new owner.”

Another resident shared the same sentiments.

“We grew up here until we got married. Our sons already graduated here, and we still live here. That’s why we’re just asking our government to help us not to evict us,” said Joy Baita, secretary of PORBAHFA.

Baita, 52, has half a hectare for cultivating palay, banana and corn. Her family’s lot, which is at least 12,679 sq. m., is also registered under the Tans.

The Tan family is represented by Alan L. Tan in the land case. Alan L. Tan is the chairperson of the Rinconada Allied Cultural School FDN. Inc., a Chinese School located in Brgy. San Jose, Iriga City that generates around P127.94 million (2.17 million USD) annually. He also owned the Jasaca Realty Corp. located in Brgy. San Miguel, Iriga City with current president Tonny L. Taysalit. They also have real estate properties in Naga City.

“The demolition may be carried out, and there are 20 people who will be affected [under Tan family’s claims]. They really won’t be relocated because they’ve been there for a long time. I hope it doesn’t continue so that their houses won’t be removed. That’s where they farm and where they get their food. If they’re demolished, there will be nothing,” said Eduardo Baliber, acting president of PORBAHFA. (RTS, RVO)

The post Camarines Sur farmers resist outsiders’ land ownership claims appeared first on Bulatlat.

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