By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
(This is a reprint from an issue during the hard lockdown last year. It is still relevant now that we are practically in a lockdown again.)
As I earlier said, during difficult times like these, the envy of everyone would be the family or person who lives in a small farm which is self-sufficient. For such purpose, it does not have to be a big farm. A five-hectare spread would be ideal. A hectare devoted to rice would be more than sufficient supply of the staple for a small family for a year or until the next harvest. I am basing my estimate on the basis of the consumption of our household. We are four people in the house with five dogs and one cat. One cavan of rice is sufficient for us for a monthbut we actually consume half of that because we buy dog and cat food. These are more convenient at the same cost as the animals can be choosy. They have to smell some meat and bones or fish with their food.
Actually even a two-hectare spread would be enough as long as there is water. A hectare for rice and the other hectare for vegetables and livestock should be tiring enough for a small family to work on.
With such an estate, the world can go to hell but the family would not care less, survival-wise. They would be able to afford satellite TV and internet service and could sit in comfort while watching people dying around the world due to COVID-19 or other problems. But we are people and we cannot just maroon ourselves and live like an island.
I am talking here of a worst case scenario. Which might not be too far behind with the way we are tampering with nature, how we are destroying our environment. Pandemics would be happening more often, and natural disasters also. Who knows, one might just be around the bend again. For that, such an estate should be worth dreaming of. A haven to retreat to.
So I am envious of a doctor friend who has a five hectare farm nearby. An hour’s drive from the city. When I was Metro Manila based, a trip from one city to another there would take more than an hour. So an hour’s drive along fresh environment might even be a welcome respite from the stress of a day’s work.
Right here and now, what would you prefer? Millions of pesos in the bank or a small farm nearby where your family can be safe from COVID-19? And mark my words, the world can spiral down to a great depression. If that happens all conventional assets especially cash can end up almost worthless or its value would be greatly diminished to an extent it would make you cry.
How about a farm that can feed you and protect your family from a dangerous disease or other kinds of trouble? Its value would appreciate several times over.
So if you are a hot shot money maker but does not have a farm as described here, you might want to review your priorities or portfolio of investments.
Such a farm should have been the priority investment of our OFWs when they were earning big. I know one who did just that but the farm he bought was somewhere far away from the place he calls home. What will you do with such a farm that would take you more than twelve hours to reach? That would be in the outskirts where you might not even want to go on a regular basis. Since it is far, you might find out one day that it is occupied by squatters and claiming it as their own.
How about your children? Would they like to go and stay far from the city or in the hinterlands? I very much doubt it. More so if there is some kind of hostility from people there against outsiders.
Just the other day, I received a phone call from a college friend who told me of a three hectare farm being sold cheap in Quezon Province. I said, good luck.
About three months ago, another friend who settled in Palawan was inviting me to go and live there and he would give me some land for free. Sorry. Nice as the place might be but it is too late for me to relocate. I had already re-established by roots in the Cordillera and this is where I will be.**
