The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) criticizes the Villafuertes for their shameless and callous response to the climate disaster. For one, Camarines Sur 5th District Representative Miguel Luis “Migz” Villafuerte was seen handing out P500 to affected victims of the typhoon while paddling on a boat. His father, Luis Raymund “L-Ray” Villafuerte Jr. swooped in to defend their actions, stating that “the best thing we can do is give them cash for now.” L-Ray was also seen to be handing out cash to a crowd knee-deep in flood water. KMP condemns their blatant efforts to sanitize themselves for their lack of disaster-readiness for the people of Camarines Sur.
Camarines Sur was one of the provinces severely hit by #KristinePH, with first time flooding in the Naga City CBD and other major areas. Nine out of 36 towns are still fully submerged due to floods in Camarines Sur, while six are still partially submerged.
The Villafuertes is a long-running political dynasty in the region, and have been in power since the 1980s with Former Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte Sr, and now succeeded by other key family members L-Ray Villafuerte Jr. and Migz Villafuerte who currently hold positions in congress, and Luigi Villafuerte as the incumbent governor of Camarines Sur. L-Ray has recently filed candidacy to once again run as Governor of Camarines Sur, a position he held for 9 years.
“Sino na nga ba tong Villafuerte ang governor ngayon: si L-Ray, si Migz, si Luigi? Nag-rereshuffle lang sila, pero pare-pareho lang ang itsura.”, remarked KMP National Chairperson and Makabayan senate bet Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos. “Namahagi pa kuno ng tig-lilimandaan sa mga kawawa nating kababayan, pero pamamahagi ng kanilang malalaking landholdings di magawa. Ang kailangan ng mga magsasaka at mga kababayan natin ay kumpensasyon, ayuda, at pangmatagalang solusyon sa sakuna at hindi barya-barya lang nitong malalaking pamilya. We should end these dynasties sa pampulitikang larangan”, he added.
Farmers in Camarines Sur hold the Villafuertes accountable for the Naga Airport Development Project threatens the livelihoods of over 200 farming families and encroaches on at least 200 hectares of prime irrigated agricultural land, projected to result in an annual loss of around 1.3 million metric tons of rice, directly impacting local rice supply. Additionally, it will disrupt a communal irrigation system that services more than 500 hectares of rice fields across four other barangays. Back in 2018, the then CamSur Governor Migz Villafuerte ordered the dumping of soil and rocks over a crucial road in Brgy. San Agustin, one of the communities affected by the airport construction, making it impassable for vehicles. Since then, militarization in Brgy. San Agustin has intensified, with farmer group Damayan nin Paraoma sa Camarines Sur (DAMPA) facing constant red-tagging, surveillance, and threats. In June 2023, four members of DAMPA who were against the development project— the so-called Pili 4, were unjustly arrested and charged with trumped up cases. L-Ray Villafuerte in particular, was a staunch supporter of the Anti-Terror Law when it was filed in 2020.
“These political dynasties are directly implicated sa lumalalang kalagayan sa pagsasaka, di lang sa CamSur kundi sa buong bansa. Maraming mga development projects ay sa katunayan ay banta lamang sa buhay at kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka. May bagyo man o wala ay lugmok sa kahirapan ang mga magsasaka at baon sa utang,” said KMP Chairperson Emeritus Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano.
A few days ago, social media users were in tirades after photographs of a Siargao vacation trip of the Villafuertes surfaced while Camarines Sur was expected to be pummeled by Typhoon Kristine.
KMP lauds genuine disaster efforts in the region, particularly with the Leni Robredo-led Angat Buhay relief operations. Bicol farmers and KMP continue to call for immediate compensation, relief services, and long-term rehabilitation for affected communities in the region. ###
