Members of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas – Negros (KMP), Negros Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) and Pambansang Mamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA – Negros) held a dialogue with the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, through its presiding officer Vice Governor Jeffrey Ferrer, yesterday morning to discuss the problems being faced by peasants amidst this pandemic, particularly their lack of livelihood, and the increased crackdown on activists and mass leaders.

The dialogue was originally scheduled for last month during World Hunger Day. However, sources state that office of Gov. Bong Lacson had forgotten about the appointment.

The successive lockdowns and the pandemic have worsened the economic difficulties of the peasant sector, the groups claimed, and they continue to face hunger, lack of livelihood, and low wages.

RA 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law drove down the price of palay to as low as Php 12-14 per kilo, while it cheapens the market price of imported rice. The groups claim this policy is disastrous to the local rice industry and must be junked.

The groups also decry the increased militarization in Negros which resulted in increased extra-judicial killings and illegal arrests, as well as on the vilification and red-tagging of progressive groups and legal activists.

Furthermore, the groups demand immediate support, through aid, long-term livelihood projects, free medical support, and equipment, for the affected small farmers, sugar workers, and fisherfolks. They also appeal to the local government to allot funds for palay buying at Php 20 per kilo for our small farmers affected by RA 11203.

The Provincial Government was also appealed to address the various human rights violations and attacks on legal activists. Among the group’s demands is to junk MO32, E070, and the newly-implemented Anti-Terror Law. Memorandum Order 32 was responsible for additional deployment of military forces in Negros Island along with intensifying intelligence operations that have led to a drastic increase of red-tagging and threats versus various farmers and peasants, legal professionals, civic organizations, and human rights activists.

The lack of justice for the Sagay 9 Massacre victims after two years, as well as to the extra-judicial killings of Zara Alvarez, Atty. Ben Ramos, Bernardino Patigas and many others were also condemned by the peasant groups.

Ferrer promised to support the farmers, sugar workers, and fisherfolks by coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) to address the lack of livelihood and poverty faced by the sector. He also condemned the spates of killings in Negros and assures the groups that he will make sure investigation is underway in order for justice to be served.