Pagbutlak

The forum also raised concerns over the alleged misuse of agricultural funds—issues that, they said, mirror a broader crisis of governance and corruption in the sector.

Soaked by the afternoon rain, farmers, advocates, and students marched Tuesday afternoon, October 21, from St. Clement’s Church to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol carrying banners and placards calling for justice and food security amid plunging palay prices.

Earlier today, participants gathered inside the church’s Jubilee Hall for the  “Mangunguma: San-o Mapuno ang Gantangan Mo?” hosted by the Panay Network for Rice Sufficiency (PNRS).

Under the weight of plunging farmgate prices—reportedly as low as ₱8 per kilo in some regions—speakers including Lucia Capaducio, Raoul Manuel, and Kervin Bonganciso took aim at government policies they said have failed the country’s farmers. 

They pointed to the Rice Tariffication Law, the underfunded National Food Authority (NFA) with its P9-billion budget, and the ineffective Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) as evidence of systemic neglect.

The forum also raised concerns over the alleged misuse of agricultural funds—issues that, they said, mirror a broader crisis of governance and corruption in the sector.

The forum drew on the energy of past mobilizations — including the 21 September march against corruption — underscoring the shared struggles of workers and agricultural producers. Participants pressed for concrete reforms: state-backed local production, stronger protections for farmers, and genuine public-service accountability — echoing calls to show unity through collective action.

The event concluded with the reading of a unity statement, “Maghugpong para sa Matuod-tuod nga Seguridad sa Pagkaon, Suporta para sa Mangunguma kag Kontra Korapsyon,” affirming that food sufficiency can only be achieved through self-reliance, just compensation and integrity in public service. They asserted that the struggle for rice is the struggle for justice, dignity and the people’s right to live free from hunger and corruption.

Despite the downpour, farmers and advocates took their message to the streets, marching from St. Clement’s Church to the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. Soaked but resolute, they raised banners and placards in a picket protest to reinforce their message.

Kichi Lim is Pagbutlak’s 51st Associate Editor for External Affairs. She’s a part-time reporter/correspondent, part-time news writer.