Daniela Mauricio loves covering stories far and wide, as long as it’s not in her own province (because nothing beats dodging family friends who ask, “Uy, reporter ka na pala! Pakibalita naman si tita!”). In the newsroom, she’s now the reigning quietest member, finally out-silencing Ate Zeng Umil.
Daniela Mauricio loves covering stories far and wide, as long as it’s not in her own province (because nothing beats dodging family friends who ask, “Uy, reporter ka na pala! Pakibalita naman si tita!”). In the newsroom, she’s now the reigning quietest member, finally out-silencing Ate Zeng Umil.
The TWG reflects the Marcos administration’s continued reliance on liberalized rice imports instead of pursuing policies that protect farmers and promote local production.
“For decades, farm-to-market roads have been an automatic source of profit for politicians, contractors, and corrupt government officials. Even before flood control projects and dikes, FMRs were already the original scheme for plundering agriculture funds, with huge budgets, no accountability, and farmers always losing out."
There should be a genuine public audit, full disclosure of documents, and cases filed against corrupt officials, including those in Malacañang and Congress.
KMP called for public transparency and grassroots participation in FMR planning and implementation.
Even before it could fully take root, the KMP was met by challenges.
Pamalakaya-Philippines and allied organizations called on the administration to ensure meaningful representation in the drafting of programs and laws affecting small fishers.
The Philippines is among the top rice producers globally but remains one of the world’s largest rice importers, with over 2.4 million farmers depending on the crop for livelihood.
"We spend so much on fertilizer and pesticides, plus other expenses during planting and harvesting."
“Those involved must be removed from their positions, charged with graft, corruption, and plunder, and brought to justice. They have no concern for the struggling farmers. While floods swallow rice fields and livelihoods, these corrupt politicians gorge themselves on stolen wealth. They must be held accountable, prosecuted, and jailed. Such blatant plunder should no longer be tolerated."
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas urged the adoption of a long-term rehabilitation plan and climate-resilient farming measures, stressing that small farmers remain the most affected yet the least supported each year.
“The government’s response to legitimate calls against corruption, poverty, and injustice is intimidation, instead of addressing the issues and problems that farmers and women face every day."
Erring contractors must be blacklisted for life, public officials who facilitated and got kickbacks from multibillion-peso anomalous deals must be held accountable, and procurement loopholes that allow contract splitting must be shut down.
“Farm-to-Market Roads are supposed to be lifelines for farmers. However, they risk becoming Farm-to-Pocket Roads due to corruption."
These statements, delivered matter-of-factly by Col. Lamzon, constitute red-tagging and thus threaten the life, liberty, and security of not just Nay Lucia but the entire membership and network of Pamanggas.
"It is not enough to blame contractors and low-ranking officials. If Marcos Jr. were serious about fighting corruption, he should go after the big fish, including himself."
Farmers’ group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) demanded a full investigation on the flood control projects in the Bicol region.
The fishers stressed that the mayor is obliged to process their permits, that police power cannot override rights, and that the LGU’s refusal is meant to clear the way for reclamation projects.
Women farmers in Laguna, reeling from floods that destroyed their rice fields and left them with losses of up to P20,000 ($340) per hectare, are demanding calamity compensation and higher palay prices, as their crops are not covered by insurance and government rice policies continue to draw criticism.
“The 60-day rice import ban is just for show. While the public is being made to believe that something is being done for the farmers, the Rice Liberalization Law, one of the root causes of the decline in farmers’ income and the rising price of rice, remains in effect. It must be immediately repealed."
“These funds exist for emergencies like this. The government’s failure to release them quickly and transparently is costing lives and livelihood,”
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