Groups slam inadequate government assistance to farmers affected by typhoons

Groups slam inadequate government assistance to farmers affected by typhoons

 “Aquino is of no help to poor people like us even if he has the authority over all government agencies in the country, like a father to his family. So far, he has done nothing but to make sure he looks good before the eyes of the public “
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
Sidebar: Guimba peasants face calamities all year round 

MANILA — Farmer Juanito Ramiscal could not believe what he saw as soon as the flood subsided in the far-flung subvillage of Bertece in Guimba, Nueva Ecija. All the fruits of his hard work were washed away by typhoon Quiel, the last of the two consecutive typhoons that recently hit the country.

Ramiscal sat down and lost consciousness. His family brought him to the nearest hospital and was consequently announced dead on arrival. He died of a stroke on September 30. He was 58.

When Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayan (Balsa), a relief operation spearheaded by progressive group Bayan, arrived in their community, they brought them goods that could somehow ease their impoverished conditions for the next few days. Ramiscal’s name was called but it was his children who claimed it on his behalf.

Peasants lose their banana produce over strong typhoons. (Photo courtesy of NCCP / Bulatlat.com)

The town of Guimba is one of the most affected areas in Nueva Ecija, the country’s rice granary. Local peasant organizations estimates that about 70 percent of their crops were destroyed by the two typhoons that hit the country. Despite their conditions, residents said they hardly received sustainable assistance from the local government and none from the national government.

In his message before the residents, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said their efforts are in response to the inaction of the government to look into the needs of the Filipino people who were affected by the typhoons and consequently the release of water from nearby dams.

“But I urge everyone that we should not be satisfied with our humble relief goods. It is the government’s responsibility to address our concerns,” Reyes said.

The Department of Agriculture estimates that the agriculture sector lost about $277.4 million, of this, the loss in palay or rice produce amounted to $254.3 million or 760,207 metric tons.

Damages to crops, livelihood

In an interview with Aquilino Lopez, president of Mambayu, a local peasant organization, he said, “around 30 percent of the soon to be harvested rice crops were rotting when the flood subsided,” adding that the farmers could hardly sell those they were able to salvage because “the color of the rice grains darkened after it was soaked in the flood water.”.... MORE

Source:  Bulatlat.com

URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/14/groups-slam-inadequate-government-assistance-to-farmers-affected-by-typhoons/