đź“·Nars Alyn Andamo | Facebook
Various peasant organizations and progressive factions across the nation are conducting a coordinated protest today to advocate for a genuine land reform initiative.
Makabayan coalition senatorial bet and health advocate Jocelyn “Alyn” Andamo has witnessed the challenges faced by farmers as a result of agricultural policies that exacerbate their difficulties. Many individuals are enduring exorbitant interest rates and have fallen prey to land monopolization.
“Ang lupa ay buhay hindi lang para sa milyong-milyong magsasaka kundi rin para sa mamamayang Pilipino na umaasa sa kanila para sa pagkain. Patindi nahg patindi ang kagutuman at maraming Pillipino ang hindi na kumain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw, lalo pa ng tamang pagkain sa bawat araw.” Andamo, a long-time activist and community nurse, said that the lack of land contributes to food insecurity, hunger and malnutrition.
Citing the United Nations report in 2023, Andamo said that 51 million Filipinos or approximately 44.7 percent suffered moderate or severe food insecurity, placing the country as number one in the Southeast Asia region that experiences food insecurity. In addition, there are 29% of children affected by stunted growth.
“Hunger and malnutrition will be resolved if we address the decades-long problem of land ownership, land grabbing, land monopoly and land-use conversion for the benefit of local and foreign corporations. The government should support farmers’ local production instead of favoring importation of rice and other agricultural products,” Andamo added.
Andamo also called for the respect of human rights of farmers. “Farmers rights are human rights. The failure of government authorities to resolve land-related problems and to protect their economic and social rights have affected their lives. These include their daily food intake, medication for illness, a house to live in and to send their children to school to receive education. When they stand for their rights, they are harassed, arrested, red-tagged and killed.”
One of the major programs of MAKABAYAN Coalition for the 2025 national and local elections is the legislation of a genuine land reform to resolve the problems of farmers. #
