The people of Ilocos provinces, particularly farmers and fishers, are once again facing a severe blow to their livelihoods and lives due to the devastation caused by super typhoon Julian (International name: Krathon). The Ilocos Norte provincial government has declared a state of calamity as Typhoon Julian tore through the province, leaving homes shattered, livelihoods in ruins, and entire communities submerged. This comes on top of the ongoing struggles of farmers and fishers, who are already reeling from the impacts of El Niño and previous torrential rains.

According to the Ilocos Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the province recorded Php384 million in infrastructure damage and Php87 million in agricultural losses, affecting over 18,000 families and 4,163 hectares of farm lands. The cities of Laoag and Batac, along with 15 other towns, experienced severe flooding, with river systems in critical condition. The typhoon has so far affected 1,000 farmers, based on the conservative estimate of the Department of Agriculture (DA)

“Typhoon Julian’s devastation compounds the ongoing neglect that farmers and fishers have suffered under the Marcos Jr. administration. Instead of preparing for and responding to disasters, Marcos Jr. and his cronies have prioritized their own interests, leaving the people to fend for themselves. The people have seen no significant efforts from the government to protect livelihoods or compensate for losses. Instead, lavish events and subservience to US interests have taken precedence,” according to KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos, also a Makabayan senatorial candidate.

Peasant woman leader Julie Balangue, spokesperson of STOP Exploition also hit the Marcos Jr. administration for its “wrong priorities.” “Instead of prioritizing special holiday declarations, continuing Balikatan Exercises, and deploying US troops that put Ilocanos in grave danger, Marcos Jr. should start doing his rightful job, which is to serve the interests of the Filipino people,” Balangue said.

Call for immediate aid, compensation

The Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP Exploitation)-KMP Ilocos, alongside the affected communities, demand immediate and adequate support from the Marcos Jr. administration and the Department of Agriculture (DA). “The government must provide compensation to farmers and fishers, particularly for production costs and damaged crops. Immediate financial assistance is also essential for families whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed,” Ramos asserts.

Edgar Estavillo of the Alyansa Dagiti Mannalon iti Ilocos Norte (AMIN) said the farmers’ demands are clear—provide Php 25,000 in production subsidies to farmers, Php 15,000 to fishers, and Php 10,000 in financial assistance to families affected by typhoons and flooding. “As super typhoon Julian showed, communities are always vulnerable and underprepared in the face of calamities, and this cannot be allowed to continue,” he said.

According to STOP Exploitation , “as the country approaches the 2025 elections, the people will hold accountable those who failed them. The people will reject officials like Marcos Jr. and his cronies, and challenge candidates to prioritize the welfare of farmers, fishers, and disaster victims over their personal gain.”

KMP vows to fight and demand for compensation for farmers and fishers affected by calamities. ###