The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) and other farm groups are calling on president Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to “stand firm” on his commitment to protect the local farm sector in connection with the Philippines’ proposed membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership trade agreement.
The statement was signed by Leonardo Montemayor, FFF chairman and leaders of the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, United Broiler Raisers Association, Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Maize Federation, Alyansa Agrikultura, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Pambansang Kilusan ng mga Samahang Magsasaka, Philippine Egg Board Association, Confederation of Coconut Farmers Organizations of the Philippines, Pambansang Kaisahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Pilipinas, Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Magniniyog ng Pilipinas, Tugon Kabuhayan, Integrated Rural Development Foundation and the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement.
The groups said the government must first ensure entry into any trade or economic deal must be based on equality, reciprocity, mutual benefit and national interest apart from the need to “broaden and deepen” consultations and participative processes with farmers and other primary stakeholders to contribute to better formulation, implementation and monitoring of policies and programs.
Meanwhile, the Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) said the government must scrap the implementation of tiered regional wage rates especially for agricultural workers.
John Milton Lozande, UMA spokesperson, said that upholding lower regional minimum wages in the regions compared to Metro Manila is unfair especially that wage rates for plantation workers are even lower than other workers.
Lozande said if industrial workers in Metro Manila are barely getting by with P570 a day, conditions are even harder for agricultural workers for whom the minimum could go as low as P316 in Bangsamoro, P320 in Eastern Visayas and P325 in Ilocos region. Jed Macapagal
