Farmers to grain retailers: Don’t blame us for crisis

Bringing along empty cooking pots and sacks, farmers and fishermen yesterday trooped to the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit-7 compound denying allegations made by private grains retailers that they are hoarding rice.

Nick Abasolo of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas led more than 20 fishermen and farmers from north and south of Cebu province in a protest in reaction to the statement of the Grains Retailers Confederation of the Philippines (Grecon) that farmers are to be blamed for the rise in rice prices and the so-called crisis or shortage.

“Wala na lang ba’y laing mapasanginlan ang gobyerno sa ilang kapakyas? Kaming mga mag-uuma ug mangingisda? Wala man gani mi halos ikapalit og bugas. Nanago na hinuon mi,” Abasolo said.

He said they are calling on the government to prioritize agriculture and to exit from its membership from the World Trade Organization as its policies are detrimental to farmers, fishermen and market traders.

Abasolo said the activity yesterday was a prelude to a series of mass actions they will conduct which will also involve partner organizations in Bohol, Oriental Negros and Siquijor.

Panaghugpong sa Mangingisda sa Timog Amihanang Cordova, Lingkawas Amihan Cebu and Panaghugpong sa mga Mangingisda sa Talisay joined in yesterday’s protest.

DA-7, on the other hand, maintains that there is no shortage in rice, except for corn which is only 55.82 percent sufficient for Central Visayas.

But that the price of rice has to increase because of high production costs in terms of farm inputs such as fertilizers and transportation due to the increasing price of oil that the farmers have to recover.

The National Food Authority, however, has assured it has enough rice supply to last until the next harvesting season in October. – Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV