Farmers: We are not government’s priority

CEBU, Philippines - The celebration of the First Farmers’ Day yesterday turned into an avenue to complain about the government’s ‘failure’ to make the welfare of farmers a priority.

Jose Ruben, an Outstanding Farmers of the Year awardee last year, said he heard complaints from his fellow farmers in mountain areas that government assistance coursed through the barangays were instead doled out to the supporters of the barangay captains, not to the qualified farmers.

“Mao na’y real situation karon. Kung kinsay kaalyado sa opisyales mao ra pod makapahimulos, katong tinud-anay nga mag-uuma, o katong poorest of the poor, di intawn makadawat, (That’s the real situation. Those who are the allies of the barangay officials are the only ones who get the aid)” he told reporters. He mentioned fertilizers and seeds as among the assistance.

He also aired this sentiment in his speech during the event and drew lauds and cheers of concurrence from the participants.

Still in his speech, Ruben asked the Cebu City government to provide farmers a proper place where we they could display their produce during daytime.

“Wa ta’y kabutangan ‘nig abot sa Carbon. Nganong wa man ta’y luna diha sa Carbon para sa atong mag-uuma nga tigbayad man ta’gbuhis? (There’s no area at Carbon Market where our farmers can place their products. Why can’t the government provide us that when we are also paying taxes?),” he lamented.

He went on saying, “Dina unta ta mamaligya og gabiing dako. Panahon sa uwan, mangatulog daplin sa kalsada intawn atong mga mag-uuma. Inig buntag sayo abogon ta’s mga taga-City Hall, hipos tanan abot…Prone ta sa mga tigpayuhot og pekeng kwarta ug snatcher (We should not sell at night. When it rains, our vendors are left with no choice but to sleep along the streets. We are also shooed away by City Hall personnel in early morning and asked to clear the area. We are prone to those proliferating fake money and snatchers).”

His statement was cheered by his fellow farmers at the Capitol Social Hall.

He, however, commended the Cebu provincial government for taking initiatives to help the farmers in the province.

In an interview after the event, Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena assured that the province will continue supporting the agriculture sector, being the priority of the present administration.

Saragena said the province has been implementing farm-to-market road projects and farm mechanisms.

He said he would relay the farmers’ concern to Governor Hilario Davide III. — (FREEMAN)