North Cotabato gov’t urged to release rice subsidy to farmers

Some 6,000 farmers and members of militant groups in North Cotabato continued to block a portion of the Davao-Cotabato highway as they urged the local government to release rice subsidy and assistance to those affected by drought in the province.

“The farmers are just getting what is due to them. Militant and daring actions are expression of the people’s assertion of rights. The granting of rice subsidy to drought-affected farmers was already approved by the LGU. Pero dahil napakabagal umaksyon ng gobyerno, kumilos na ang mga nagugutom na mamayan (But because the government is taking too long to act, the poor countrymen have taken action),” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) secretary general Antonio Flores said in a statement.

Demanding urgent calamity assistance, protesters occupied at least 50 meters of the highway on Wednesday at the boundary of Makilala town and Kidapawan City.

READ: 6,000 North Cotabato farmers block highway, demand food, farm aid; cops blame activists

As of 1 p.m. on Thursday, farmers from Makilala, Mlang, Tulunan, Magpet, Roxas, Antipas, Arakan towns and Kidapawan City are still gathered near the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Kidapawan City as negotiations between farmers, local government, and the NFA are ongoing at the Diocese of Kidapawan.

Protesters were demanding the release of 15,000 sacks of rice subsidy to farmers, free distribution of seedlings, increase in farmgate prices of agricultural crops, and the immediate pullout of military troops in North Cotabato.

But the LGU wanted to facilitate the distribution of rice subsidy through the local Department of Social Welfare and Development’s food for work program.

“Due to the drought, farmers cannot plant rice and crops and they have no alternative livelihood. Their families are already hungry and in need of urgent assistance. Instead of acting swiftly to provide immediate relief to farmers, the LGU wants to follow circuitous and bureaucratic processes,” Flores added.

KMP also slammed the North Cotabato police, particularly Chief Supt. Bernard Tayong, for alleging that farmers were tricked by organizers into joining the protest by promising that rice would be distributed by the provincial government.

“Chief Supt. Bernard Tayong is not thinking. The farmers’ protest is just and legitimate. Anyone who is hungry will seek ways to find food and livelihood,” Flores said. CDG