The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) supports Bicol farmers in their urgent call for immediate aid and compensation for the ₱537 million worth of damage to rice, corn, and high-value crops, affecting 18,840 farmers and fisherfolk in Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s report dated September 8, the total damage to Bicol’s agriculture and infrastructure has reached ₱1.36 billion.

So far, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has reported the distribution of 217,140 food packs in the Bicol Region. However, this assistance is woefully inadequate, as farmers face severe losses in livelihood and food resources. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Bicol (KMB) reports nearly 100% damage to rice fields and crops, with some farmers barely managing to harvest 5 to 10 sacks from their flooded fields.

Farmers are experiencing 80-100% losses in their expected rice harvest income, with farming costs ranging from ₱30,000 to ₱40,000 for low-end expenses, and ₱60,000 to ₱70,000 for higher-end expenses. In affected areas, floodwaters often take up to a month to subside, forcing families into prolonged displacement.

KMP National Chairperson and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate Danilo Ramos stated, “The Department of Agriculture’s apathetic response to agricultural damages, which have ballooned to ₱23 billion from January to September, is criminal. The peasant sector has already done the DA’s work. Throughout these recent disasters, we have been demanding ₱25,000 in production subsidies for farmers, ₱15,000 for fishers, and ₱10,000 in financial assistance for typhoon victims. The refusal of the Marcos Jr. administration to provide these immediate needs is not only a failure in disaster response but a direct threat to our national food security.”

The KMB has outlined the urgent relief needed by affected farmers:

– Food, hygiene kits, water containers, tarpaulins, blankets, and mosquito nets

– Housing materials for rebuilding damaged homes

– Rehabilitation and land restoration support, such as dike repairs and mud clearing

– Production support in the form of seeds and farming inputs

– Capital for land preparation and replanting

Farm animals, farming tools, and machinery (e.g., carabaos, plows, hand tractors, basic tools like machetes, shovels, and sickles)

Since early September, KMB has set-up mobile community kitchens wherein they distribute hot meals to affected residents in flooded communities.

KMP challenges the DA and other government agencies to respond to these needs and enhance disaster relief efforts. Compensation is not just necessary; it is justice for climate-stricken farmers and fishers. Climate criminals must be held accountable for the environmental destruction caused by relentless mining, plantations, reclamation projects, dams, and anti-people infrastructures. The US-Marcos Jr. regime must act now and deliver the compensation owed. ###