Bongbong Marcos’ rebranding won’t put food on table — farmers’ group

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s new governance theme or slogan, “Bagong Pilipinas,” did not earn the nod of farmers who said it “will not resolve the worsening hunger and discontent felt by Filipinos.”

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) issued the statement after the current administration unveiled its new leadership campaign on July 15, which will be seen on letterheads, websites, official social media accounts, and other documents of all state agencies and entities, as mandated by Memorandum Circular No. 24 issued last July 3.

“Nothing will come out as ‘new or revolutionary’ from this rebranded governance theme or slogan, as long as the government persists with its long-standing neoliberal policies that have plunged the local economy into its worst state,” KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos said on Sunday.

“Rebranding and sloganeering will not put food on the tables of Filipinos. We need pro-people reforms and a total overhaul of long-standing policies and programs that have failed to usher in real economic development,” he added.

Ramos stressed that the country’s crop sector “remains backward” as farmers continue to rely on manual farm labor, adding that the local economy worsened during Marcos’ first year as President.

“Domestic inflation rose to 8.7 percent or a 14-year, record-high rate early this year. Prices of food, transportation, housing, cost of living, education expenses, and public utilities have also increased to unprecedented unaffordable prices and rates. Worse, Marcos Jr.’s promise of a measly P500 cash aid to 9.3 million poorest families did not come to fruition,” he said.

Aside from the rebranding, KMP likewise asserted that the wage board in Metro Manila’s approval of the P40 minimum wage increase for workers in private establishments “is far from enough,” as it also pushes for a living wage for both workers in agriculture and non-agriculture sectors.

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