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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.
Tensions in the peasant community of Lupang Tartaria flared up starting April 16 when armed security forces from Jarton Security Agency, Inc. began threatening to erect a barricade around the vicinity. In response, the farmers erected their own fence and set up a protest camp.
Since disasters always include human components, there is nothing natural about it. Therefore, there is no such thing as a “natural” disaster; there was a human failure somewhere in how social, economic, and political systems were set up.
At least 60 armed personnel have been reportedly building fences in the farmlands of barangay Tartaria, Silang, Cavite since April 16, prompting farmers to defend their community.
“Farmers and consumers are demanding the strengthening of the rice industry as a solution to the perennial rice inflation, now nearing an all-time high rate that is expected to continue until July."
The latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) revealed that Western Visayas is the most affected region with P687.7 million ($12.3M) in agricultural damage, followed by Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Calabarzon, and Zamboanga peninsula.
Clarkhills Properties started its forced demolition in 2023. About 2,000 individuals live in the 73 hectares of land that the corporation is trying to seize.
The Rice Liberalization Law has been in place for five years. Still, market prices have yet to drop to P25 per kilo, affecting farmers and consumers.
“There is still no justice up until today. There is still no genuine land reform. Landlessness remains a fundamental problem for our Filipino farmers and no program addresses these problems."
“Our commitment to lasting peace never ended. For the martyrs of Mendiola, we continue to assert peace talks [in different administrations] together with the KMP, and we acknowledge the recent breakthroughs in the Oslo Joint Statement, a sign for the resumption of peace talks."
The leadership of Danilo Ramos has been credible, consistent, and full of courage.
Peasant group said motorcycle-riding men were reportedly looking for the location of Ramos’ house in Malolos City, Bulacan. In one incident, one of the intelligence agents asked, "Taga-saan ba si Danilo Ramos? Matagal na namin siyang hinahanap kasi terorista siya."
Copra farmers in Bicol have endured decades of misery due to feudal conditions.
Sugarcane has lost its sweetness in Batangas province. The past year has been bittersweet for sugarcane plantation workers since one of the largest sugar mills in the Philippines closed down. They are still struggling to salvage what is left of their livelihood and of the whole sugar industry in the country.
Protecting agrarian beneficiaries through secure land tenure is climate justice, as it recognizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on these vulnerable groups while also seeking solutions that address its root causes.
“Many Filipinos cannot afford to eat rice for every meal. No more wasted rice on the tables of farmers and workers?"
“If Marcos Jr., as the president of the country and a former head of this department, didn’t resolve the agriculture and food crisis, now, he appointed an oligarch."
Rural peoples in different countries in Asia kicked off mobilizations geared towards the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties 28 (COP 28) in Dubai come November.
"There is an urgency to reinstate NFA's functions that were removed by the Rice Liberalization Law. Only then can the NFA have an influence on the local rice industry that is now dominated by the private sector. One of the priorities now is to be able to lower the price of rice and to make it affordable."
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