As the Philippines loan burden rises from internationally-funded projects like the P11.8-billion (USD 200, 218, 740) Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX), local farmers are forced to constantly borrow money to sustain their livelihoods and families for day-to-day survival.
By ISABELA RIVERA Bulatlat.com MANILA — Regardless of whether the yield is good or not, Alipio Chico, 69, a farmer from Gapan, Nueva Ecija, must give a “buwisan” (payment) of 12 sacks of palay per hectare every harvest season to his landowner. “Whether you harvest enough or not, you are obliged to give it away…
On World Environment Day, land rights advocates revisit the government’s role in supporting a farmers’ seed system to boost the country’s agricultural industry.
“The next administration must do away with previous and existing neoliberal policies that wreaked havoc on our agriculture and productive forces.”
Ang community pantries ay kabaligtaran ng tikom na kamay na bakal ng gubyerno.
The iron fist has all the resources and should unclench to feed the hungry.
“The Rice Industry Development Act (RIDA) bill seeks to lift our rice industry from a multi-dimensional crisis that wasted away its productive capability, stunted its development and forestalled the country’s attainment of food security.”
Bantay Bigas says government should buy at least 25 per cent of the local rice harvest.
“The Philippines is an agricultural country, and we have all the means to grow the amount of food that we currently import.”
Farmers, who produce food, could barely put enough food on the table.
“It is ironic that the rural people who are the primary food producers are the ones who are experiencing lack of food and drastic hunger.”