NTA seeks funds to repair tobacco flue curing barns

BATAC, Ilocos Norte — The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) has sought to clarify the accusation of a tobacco farmers’ group which had earlier complained against alleged government inaction on their request for rehabilitation of curing barns that were destroyed by typhoon Feria.

The Samahang Magtatabako sa Pilipinas (SMP) had warned of an imminent collapse of the tobacco industry this crop year if the flue curing barns utilized to cure their tobacco produce are not repaired on time. They charged the government of "apathy" to their plight.

NTA Administrator Carlitos Encarnacion told The STAR that as early as last July, he had alerted the agriculture department on the need for funds to restore the curing barns in the amount of P76.6 million.

He explained, though, that due to insufficiency of funds, the agriculture department has limited capability in addressing the problem.

"After two months, farmers will harvest the crop, but the government seems apathetic to our quest for help in repairing our barns," SMP said in a published statement.

The flue-curing barns play a key role in the tobacco production process.

As this developed, the militant Solidarity of Tobacco Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP-Exploitation) has joined the clamor for the barns’ immediate reconstruction, saying "now is the time for the government to show its concern for the tobacco farmers."

The group raised the issue during a rally along with other militant groups in Vigan City last Monday.

In his request for rehabilitation funds, Encarnacion cited 8,930 curing barns damaged by "Feria" belonging to 9,944 tobacco farmers in Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union and Abra.