‘Foodless Day’ protest staged in Bacolod
BACOLOD CITY — As the United Nations celebrated yesterday 62nd World Food Day, members of militant groups in Negros Occidental staged a protest they called the “Foodless Day” for farmers and farm workers saying that they are still victims of various harassments, killings, and land monopoly.
About six progressive and labor organizations in the province staged a rally Oct. 16 in front of the fountain of justice in the old Bacolod City hall, calling for the government to address the issues faced by farmers and farm workers.
In An interview, National Federation of Sugar Workers Chairman Rolando Rillo said: “Ironically, farmers and farm workers who provide food for every Filipino, are the ones who have nothing to eat on their tables and the government should take a serious step to address this problem,” Rillo said.
The group called for humane wages and a chance to cultivate their own lands through genuine land reform, he said.
Rillo said they are demanding immediate action from the government to increase the wages of farm workers and the “pakyaw” rates (contract fees).
The protest was held by some 500 members of the NFSW, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, United Negros Drivers and Operators Center, Pamabansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakayang Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap sa Bansa (KADAMAY), Gabriela and some youth groups.
The groups also called for the implementation of the Genuine Agrarian Reform Progam, the resumption of peace talks with the rebel groups, and solutions to the problems in the sugar industry, Rillo said.
Rillo also said that the groups are against the appointment of a retired military general to replace Rafael Mariano’s position as the Agrarian Reform Secretary.
The demands will be aired in the Lakbayan ng Visayas Rural Poor Summit and Camp-out in Cebu City now ongoing until Oct. 20, he added.
Rillo said around 2,000 members from different chapters of NFSW and KMP in Negros Island will join the Visayas-wide gathering to cap the celebration of October as world peasants’ month. The organization will also will present the resolutions made during the Sugar Workers Assembly early this month.