Renato Reyes Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Wednesday raised concern over how the government would ensure the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector.
“It is not just the alleged corruption in bunkhouses which should be a concern…The so-called reconstruction framework does not address how the most affected and vulnerable sectors will recover from the devastation,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, Jr. said.
Despite reports on the distribution of rice seeds by the Department of Agriculture and international groups, Reyes pointed out that, under the government’s Reconstruction Assistance for Yolanda (RAY) program, the funds allotted for the agriculture sector was not enough to cover damages.
“In its study, NEDA estimates that the investment requirements for agriculture until 2017 is around P18.7 billion whereas the total damage to agriculture is around P31 billion and future losses amounting to P30.8 billion,” he explained.
After the onslaught of Supertyphoon “Yolanda,” many farmers and fishermen lost their livelihood. Strong winds destroyed coconut trees while storm surges inundated farm lands and destroyed fishing boats.
“The title of the plan is ‘build back better’ but it does not say how and when this will be done. The plan may even fall short of achieving pre-Yolanda economic levels,” Reyes said.
The group also questioned why the government wanted big businesses to play an active role in the reconstruction efforts.
“The big real estate developers, mining and construction firms are lining up in disaster areas…identifying the areas that are profitable, a criteria that does not necessarily go hand in hand with the actual needs of the people,” Reyes claimed.
He said the situation may result in higher prices amid the impoverished condition of the population.
“Because there is no coherent, government-led plan, reconstruction efforts would depend on what the private sector would view as profitable in the long-run. Storm victims run the risk of being further marginalized and exploited under such a scheme,” he said.
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