Peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) is presenting a 12-point program for the agriculture sector that is doable in the new administration’s first 100 days. The group insists that “the points touch on measures which require immediate attention and legislation from the Marcos Jr. administration, especially as he is the concurrent agriculture secretary.”

Securing agricultural land for food production is of primary importance. We strongly urge Marcos Jr. to issue an Executive Order prohibiting the conversion of irrigated and agricultural lands devoted to or suitable for the production of staple food crops.

To achieve genuine food sufficiency amid a looming food crisis, the government must pour in a significant budget for agriculture and support the boosting and strengthening of local food production. Marcos Jr. can also certify as urgent House Bill No. 406 or the P15,000 Production Subsidy for the country’s 9.7 million farmers and fisherfolks.

These are actual demands of farmers and food producers. If Marcos Jr. has the political will and determination to put action into his words then he must consider these proposed doables.  

DOABLES in agriculture for Marcos Jr.’s first 100 days:

1. Issue an Executive Order (EO) against the conversion of agricultural lands devoted to or suitable for the production of staple food crops.  

2. Resolve long-standing agrarian disputes such as in Hacienda Tinang in Tarlac, Araneta Estate in Bulacan, Lupang Ramos in Cavite, Dumarao Stockfarm in Panay, and Concepcion Grande in Bicol.

3. Stop the policy of food import dependency. Revoke Executive Orders 134 and 135. Revoke fish import permits. Review and Amend RA 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.

4. Suspend the implementation of R.A. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law/Rice Liberalization Law.

5. Immediately suspend excise tax on oil products.

6. Certify as urgent food self-sufficiency bills: Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill, proposed Rice Industry Development Act, and the Fertilizer Subsidy Program.

7. Certify as urgent a comprehensive economic stimulus that will provide P10,000 cash aid and P15,000 production subsidy for farmers, fishers, and agricultural workers.

8. Appoint genuine farmer-representatives in the management and utilization of coconut levy funds and assets. Cooperate with a people’s oversight mechanism on the use of coconut levy funds and assets.

9. Return the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses and their cronies. Pay the P203.8 billion unpaid estate taxes of the Marcoses.

10. Allocate at least 10% of the national budget to agriculture and food production. This is the GDP share of agriculture in the national economy.

11. Scrap the permits for Golden Rice. Fully implement with adequate funding the Organic Agriculture Act (R.A. 10068, as amended by R.A. 11511).

12. Repeal Executive Order 130 on mining. #