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THE Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)-Northern Mindanao will lead farmers in the region in a protest dubbed as “Kalbaryo sa Kabus” (Calvary of the Poor) on Tuesday.
KMP-Northern Mindanao secretary general Richard Colao said the protest of the poor sectors commemorates the Holy Week, adding that the poor people are also facing “calvary” like what Jesus Christ did.
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“The poor, especially the farmers, are also facing calvary. Every day, they sacrifice to live,” Colao said.
Bukidnon, he said a case study conducted in Malaybalay City and Impasug-ong town showed that Abaca farmers’ average daily income is only P12.08, which is too low compared to the P664.50 net income of Abaca traders.
Colao said the traders buy abaca from the poor farmers at only between P38 and P40 per kilo but sell it in big cities like Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Davao for P50 to P55 per kilo.
Colao said abaca farmers have no option but to sell their produce even under “unfair prices” to pay their debts.
He said that farmers’ daily income is not enough to meet their daily needs. “So some farmers are forced to work on farms as agricultural workers earning only a penny.”
Colao also alleged that despite the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)’s order for a “pakyawan” rate of P165 per ton of harvested sugarcane, there are still sugarcane planters who pay their farm workers at P100 to P120 per ton (cut and hauled) and P80 to P100 for utility workers inside the plantation.
“The Kalbaryo sa Kabus will remind those who are in power of these sufferings of farmers and the poor…,” Colao said. The protest action will start at the Provincial Capitol grounds.
The protesters will stop in front of the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education. (Loui S. Maliza)