By Jet D. Antolin
MILITANT farmer groups stormed the gates of Malacañang to protest against President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s two-year neglect of the agricultural sector and failure to fulfill his promise of P20 per kilo of rice.
The Amihan and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) groups joined forces in a protest action at Mendiola to hold Marcos accountable for his negligence in the agriculture sector and the continuous increase in rice prices in the country.
“Today’s protest is a fight against Marcos as the instigator of the rice and food crisis in the country and a puppet of imperialism. In his two years, it has been all about importation and no comprehensive plan to develop local production and address the hunger experienced by the people,” said Cathy Estavillo, Secretary-General of Amihan. Estavillo mentioned that the said protest action is just a teaser because more actions are expected until July 22, 2024, when Marcos will face the public again for his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).
According to the group, Marcos exacerbated the damages of the Rice Liberalization Law because instead of scrapping the law, which caused the farmers’ downfall, the president continues to embrace it. Because of this, the hope for rice to drop to P20 per kilo, as promised by Marcos during the campaign, is fading as he prioritizes the interests of rice traders over the farmers.
