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The Proposal Options Under Review by the Commission for Peace and Understanding

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A Land Bank and various options for the reparation of indigenous communities in the Southern Macrozone are what the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding is reportedly analyzing.

It did not happen in November, and therefore, the outcome of the commission is expected to be known by mid-January, when the deadline expires for the commissioners to submit their report to the President of the Republic, Gabriel Boric.

The most pressing issue is land restitution for indigenous communities located between the Bio Bío and Los Lagos regions, encompassing millions of hectares where cities now even exist.

Republican senator and commissioner Carmen Gloria Aravena stated that this is a delicate matter due to many "conflicting interests," noting that restitution should not only involve land but also open up other options.

Thus, the lawmaker says, people could choose between subsidies, agricultural machinery, and other alternatives. "What convinces me the most is that people can choose what they want, what makes them feel more repaired than compensated in the future, and that they have that option. Housing subsidies, agricultural machinery to develop farming activities when the issue is not land—in some cases, pension improvements, increasing pension benefits, other types of things," she said.

One of the points revealed through reports by La Tercera is the creation of a Land Bank, and to fulfill reparations, a Financial Fund managed by the treasury with a budget of 3 billion dollars is proposed.

Senator Aravena pointed out that the Land Bank is necessary; however, the idea does not convince the Multigremial of La Araucanía.

The guild's president, Patricio Santibáñez, said the proposals deepen a flawed policy approach and that the change must be radical, stating that not just anyone can be repaired. "They deepen a flawed policy approach that has brought so much violence and destruction of economic value and production. We believe a radical change is needed. This is the opportunity to do it. Continuing, insisting on numerous risk measures only worsens the assessment of the situation," he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Aravena revealed that there is not enough land to compensate for everything the State has committed, considering that over 700 communities are already waiting after obtaining applicability.

With all this, only some of the proposals are coming to light, and the Presidential Commission for Peace and Understanding has weeks to finalize work that began over a year ago.

Source:BiobioChile