By Andrea Mae Ecoy

Before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to deliver his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 27, militant farmers’ organizations in Negros criticized the administration over what they described as worsening conditions faced by farmers, farm workers, and fisherfolk under its agricultural policies.

In separate statements, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Negros and the National Federation of Sugar Workers Unyon ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (NFSW-UMA) said the President’s SONA should address the country’s deepening agrarian crisis instead of highlighting government accomplishments.

KMP-Negros spokesperson Danilo “Danny” Tabura described President Marcos as a “peste” (pest), arguing that the administration’s policies have caused greater damage to the agricultural sector than crop infestations affecting sugarcane, coconut, and rice farms.

Tabura said the administration has continued policies that encourage land conversion, agricultural importation, and foreign access to farmland while failing to protect the livelihoods of farmers. He cited government data showing that agricultural land declined from 9.97 million hectares in 1991 to 6.2 million hectares in 2022 due to land conversion.

He also pointed to the expansion of residential subdivisions and solar farm projects in Negros Occidental, including the reported conversion of more than 400 hectares of farmland in Cadiz City. Tabura likewise raised concerns over the expansion of Hacienda Asia Plantations Inc.’s palm oil plantation in Candoni, which, according to the group, threatens the displacement of around 3,000 farmers.

The group also criticized Republic Act No. 12252, which amended the Agricultural Land Lease Act to allow agricultural lands in the country to be leased for up to 99 years. Tabura said the measure favors foreign investors at the expense of Filipino farmers and serves as proof, in the group’s view, that “ini mismo ang pamatuod nga ang gobyerno ang nagbaligya sang kadutaan sang pungsod sa dumuluong kag ginwasak ang buwas damlag sang mga Pilipino ilabi na ang mangunguma.” He argued that the policy further accelerates land concentration and undermines farmers’ right to cultivate and own agricultural land.

Meanwhile, NFSW-UMA said sugar farmers continue to struggle with low sugar prices, importation, pest infestations, corruption in agricultural assistance programs, and continued militarization in rural communities.

The federation questioned the government’s decision to permit the importation of more than 424,000 metric tons of refined sugar despite complaints from local sugar producers over declining prices. It also alleged that government assistance intended to combat the Red Striped Soft Scale Insect (RSSI) infestation has not sufficiently reached small sugar planters, who reportedly continue to shoulder the cost of pesticides despite government expenditures for pest control.

Beyond economic concerns, the group claimed that military programs implemented in rural areas have resulted in surveillance, harassment, red-tagging, and intimidation of communities opposing land conversion and alleged land grabbing.

Both organizations renewed their calls for genuine agrarian reform, an end to agricultural liberalization policies, direct government support for small farmers, a guaranteed minimum price for sugar, and stronger protection of agricultural lands from conversion.

The farmers’ groups said they are expected to join mobilizations on July 27 to press these demands as President Marcos delivers his annual report before Congress.

The President’s fifth SONA is expected to outline the administration’s accomplishments and priorities for its remaining years in office, with agriculture among the sectors expected to be discussed.