Farmers seek release of Yolanda equipment

MANILA, Philippines - Farmers hit by Typhoon Yolanda are crying for help, saying urban residents are getting tons of relief goods while they are still waiting for government assistance to rebuild their lives.

Farmers’ federation Kapisanan ng Magsasaka, Mangingisda at Manggagawa ng Pilipinas Inc. (KaMMMPi) called on government agencies, particularly the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), to facilitate the release of trucks and farm equipment purchased or donated for the use of the farmers in the Visayas region to plow their farms devastated by Yolanda.

KaMMMPi national chairman Vicente Domingo said the rehabilitation of their farms has been put on hold after DAR issued a freeze order on the award for tractors and farm equipment.

“The freeze on the award means a delay of the delivery of much-needed equipment to farmers in the typhoon-devastated areas,” Domingo said.

The equipment is part of the P720-million purchase of trucks and farm equipment under the Community Connectivity and Economic Support Service and is the subject of a Jan. 3 bidding conducted and supervised by the Department of Budget and Management.

DAR ordered the freeze to determine whether the equipment’s specifications complied with the Agriculture and Fisheries Mechanization Law’s provisions on farm equipment purchases.