More than a thousand farmers and other sectoral groups all over Cebu will join the nationwide protest today commemorating “World Food Day.”
According to Panaghiusa sa mga Gagmayng Mangingisda sa Sugbo chairman Victor Lapaz, it is more fitting to call this day as “World Foodless Day” as farmers continue to suffer hunger and sickness.
He said that farmers in the province live on a measly income of P8.50 per day.
A case study data showed that the cost of production per hectare of riceland rose from P10,000 to P18,000 since 1990.
It is estimated that the average income loss of the farmer is P1,321.00 per cropping season in the last 14 years.
Lapaz lambasted the government’s food coupon proposal, saying that the food crisis is a result of the prevailing “landlordism” in the Visayas.
More than 60 percent of the farmers in Cebu have inadequate or do not have lands to till.
Lapaz said they will hold a blood compact during the said rally as a sign of their protest to air their situation that the country is still experiencing poverty despite so-called propaganda that it has prospered.
“Kaming mga mananagat ug farmers naka-experience gihapon kami ug tumang kalisod,” he said. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP