[In photos: Palay crops ready for harvest flattened due to impact of Super Typhoon NandoPH in Amulung, Cagayan]

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) decried the massive devastation that Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa) has brought to Northern Luzon, warning that palay farmers face catastrophic losses as flooding, landslides, and strong winds batter Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Ilocos, Apayao, Benguet and other provinces in the north. As Super Typhoon Nando continues to unleash destruction, KMP reiterated its call for urgent, substantial, and direct support and compensation to farmers.

With storm warnings reaching Signal No. 5, torrential rains exceeding 200 millimeters and storm surges reaching up to three meters have already inundated rice fields and flattened crops. Palay in ripening and harvest stages has been submerged, while seedlings prepared for planting were washed out, leaving thousands of farmers without livelihood. In Cagayan province, local KMP members said: “Nitong mga nakaraang araw, nagmamadaling mag-ani, magpulot, at magsako ng palay ang mga mannalon (farmers) dahil sa bagyo. Marami pa ang hindi naani at nalubog at dumapa na dahil sa hagupit ng hangin at malakas na ulan.”

KMP criticized the Department of Agriculture for its grossly inadequate disaster response. “Kung mayroon man, palaging kapos at hindi sapat ang ayuda ng DA sa mga magsasaka. Pero kadalasan ay wala, kahit ang mga nasa RSBSA, walang natatanggap. Imbes na direktang suporta at kompensasyon, pautang lamang ang iniaalok ng DA sa mga magsasaka,” KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos said.

“Habang nalulubog sa utang at palaging lugi ang mga magsasaka dahil sa sunod-sunod na bagyo, bilyun-bilyon ang kinukurakot ng mga korap na opisyal at ahensya ng gobyerno. Sobrang nakakagalit,” Ramos said, referring to the latest expose in today’s Blue Ribbon Committee Hearing at the Senate. As much as P2.85 billion in unprogrammed funds were allegedly inserted by the DPWH and national budget to “favor the requests” corrupt officials, Congressmen and Senators. The SOPs or kickbacks reportedly range from 20% to 25 percent.

Earlier storms this year, including Tropical Storm Crising and the strengthened Habagat, already inflicted P1.2 billion worth of agricultural losses, with palay bearing the brunt of damage. Nearly 50,000 farmers were affected, yet DA only offered SURE Aid loans and insurance programs that barely reached smallholder rice producers.

Farmers in Cagayan and Ilocos reported that they have not received sufficient subsidies, while many were left uncompensated for their destroyed harvests. “Hindi dagdag na utang ang kailangan ng mga magsasaka, kundi tunay na ayuda, suportang pinansyal at konkretong tulong para sa rehabiltasyon at pagbangon,” Ramos added.

KMP pressed for a long-term plan for rehabilitation and climate-resilient agriculture, noting that year after year, small farmers are the hardest hit yet the least assisted.

“Kung patuloy na pautang lamang ang sagot ng DA, lalo lamang magbabaon sa kahirapan at pagkakautang ang mga magsasaka. Dapat igiit ang tunay na subsidyo, kompensasyon, at suporta sa sektor ng agrikultura,” Ramos concluded. ###