Farmers, fishermen and children are ranked poorest among basic sectors according to data gathered by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Since 2006, poverty incidence among local food producers is higher compared to 21 percent national rate. Additionally, palay prices plunge as the Rice Tariffication Law has been unveiled simultaneously with the forcible transformation of fisherfolks communities, along coastlines such as Manila Bay, into commercial areas through reclamation projects. Meanwhile, indigenous peoples’ ancestral domain are grabbed by local elites and threatened by Build, Build, Build projects such as the construction of Kaliwa Dam while rural women bear the brunt of making ends meet in impoverished and lowest income households.
Hence, the International World Food Day is not a cause for celebration for the rural sector but an opportunity to contemplate on their situation and to call for action addressing poverty and hunger as well as demand for a revamp of policies affecting local food producers.
Composing of the rural poor sectors of farmers, fisherfolks, indigenous people and rural women, a Visita Agencia will be held on October 16. Bringing with them their plight and demands before the doorsteps of Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that affects both local producers and consumers.
On this day, around 300 rural poor and consumers will assemble near the TUCP compound and will march by nine o’ clock towards the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Department of Agriculture (DA).
To depict their plight women will don farming clothes, farmers will bring their stalks of Palay and rice bran, and fisherfolks will bring their meshes, fishnets, and paddle. The group will conduct a short program in front of the agencies and will conclude with a noise barrage.
Participating organizations:
NAGSAKKA – Nagkakaisang Samahan ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan
PKMM – Pambansang Katipunan ng Makabayang Magbubukid
Pangisda-Pilipinas – Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Mangingisda sa Pilipinas
DUMAGAT – Dunong at Dangal ng Makabagong Dumagat
Contact Details:
Pablo Rosales – Pangisda Pilipinas Chairperson – 0908-991-9595 or e-mail pangisdaph2017@gmail.com
Jhun Pascua – PKMM Chairperson – 0939-943-5718 or e-mail pkmm98@yahoo.com
