By Anthony A. Araos
Read it or ignore it. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Baguio City, Abra or Kalinga. The choice is yours.
It is all about the farmer. His pains and stresses. Ignoring him is like saying, there’s nothing wrong with poverty. I never felt surer about this concern till I interviewed recently Ana Habbiling, chair of the Banaue-based Tuktuban Farmers Association. The short interview drifted to a meaningful conversation on “Tinawon” rice and problems faced by farmers at Barangay Amganad. Then it veered to post-harvest facilities, irrigation, farm-to-market roads, credit access and even market linkages. Production is low in the recent past. There is even a problem on pests. If you think that was all, think again. So I reminded her that farmers are not getting any younger. Their children are no longer interested in farming. They are being told to get white-collar jobs. How can you solve that problem?
Farmers are not receiving ample support and assistance from the officialdom. From time to time, during programs and related activities, the agriculture sector has been described as the “backbone” of the Philippine economy by highly-placed officials in the provincial and municipal levels. Just a lot of “praises” from the rich and famous power wielders. Meanwhile, the farmers are experiencing the full brunt of the prevailing economic difficulties further aggravated by COVID-19. The cash-strapped among them are some of the “poorest of the poor” in Philippine society.
Yet, Mrs. Habbiling said it’s okay for them to sacrifice. I couldn’t control myself and said, “Yeah, it’s awful, but I don’t think farmers have to be “sacrificed” by the government because it’s miserable for cash-starved farmers and for you too.” I quickly added: “So, indeed I see the urgency of farmers in Banaue and elsewhere who should be prioritized by the government.” She nodded.
I felt I was enlightening someone and learning the brutal realities on the ground at the same time in a heartwarming experience with a pillar of the peasantry. I was sort of overwhelmed that it was saddening and rewarding. Anyone with a good pair of soulful eyes can clearly see that the plight of impoverished farmers is easily intertwined with education and economics. The gap between the rich and poor is so huge. Is it because the “Honorable Officials” among the haves in society are adamant not to move against poverty and inequality? Most people know the meaning of “self over others.” But the usual line in any government-sponsored program is that “Honorable so-and-so” is very supportive of the farmers. Hehehe!
Agriculture is essential to the local and national economy. Its output comprises one fifth of the country’s domestic product, 6% of exports, and is the source of the livelihood of more than 40 percent of the population.
I’ll never give up enlightening people on issues etched on the sweaty brows of a farmer who struggles to make a living in rice paddies.
When you opt to stay in the comforts of air-conditioned offices like public officials, you won’t be able to feel the genuine pulse of the farmers. Thus, officials could only come up with theoretical solutions that do not work on the ground.
Farmers have to eat too. But the government officials are just a lot of talk on their problems without even providing them the most basic of services.
The bottom line is a bigger budget for the agriculture sector and mechanisms for it to really reach the farmers, not to be lost in the labyrinth of the corruption techniques of bureaucrats and public officials.
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