Tobacco farmers protest unjust prices, slam one peso “alms” hike proposal at Tobacco Tripartite Conference
October 7
Tobacco farmers from Ilocos under Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP Exploitation) and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) held a picket protest in front of the Great Eastern Hotel, Quezon Avenue — venue of the National Tobacco Tripartite Consultative Conference (NTTCC) led by the National Tobacco Administration (NTA).
Their united call: P128 per kilo as a just and living floor price for Virginia tobacco — a rate that truly reflects the rising cost of production. According to farmers, the current P97 per kilo is unjust and leaves them buried in debt while big corporations continue to profit. Since September, tobacco farmers have been asserting their right to take part in the Tripartite Conference and in the discussions and decisions that directly affect their livelihood.
Farmers and peasant advocates joined the protest coinciding with the Tripartite Conference. The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women also joined the action, stressing that rural women carry double burdens — unpaid care work at home and the daily struggle in the fields.
Peasant leaders from Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and La Union led by STOP Exploitation engaged in the Tripartite meeting and and asserted their position and demands directly to the NTA.
Youth advocates and STOP Exploitation held discussion groups on the worsening situation of tobacco farmers in the Ilocos region and their continuing fight for land, food and justice.
For years, political dynasties in Ilocos, La Union, and Abra have exploited the RA 7171 tobacco excise tax, turning the multibillion fund meant for farmers’ welfare into a source of corruption and personal gain.
October 8
At the close of the Tobacco Tripartite Conference NTTCC, farmers denounced the one-peso increase in tobacco prices — calling it pisong limos and an outright insult to their call for a P128 per kilo floor price without classification.
“Magsasaka ng tabako uuwing limos ang bitbit, habang mga ganid na korporasyon busog na naman ang bulsa,” farmers exclaimed as they blasted the decision that once again favored corporate greed over farmers’ welfare.
Adding to the outrage, tobacco traders were absent during the conference — a move that farmers described as a clear act of disrespect to their demands for fair pricing. STOP Exploitation criticized the NTA for allowing the absence, calling it proof of the agency’s failure to defend the interests of the very farmers who keep the industry alive.
For his part, Ronnie Manalo, Secretary-General of KMP said: “Panahon na para wakasan ang ganitong klase ng tripartite conference na laging pabor sa mga kumpanya. Hindi patas na mga korporasyon ang nagdidikta ng presyo habang pinababayaan ang mga magsasaka.”
Farmers asserted that cigarette companies use a deceptive grading system to deliberately lower the price of their harvest. Under this system, the value of tobacco is reduced even when the quality is high — causing farmers to incur losses while corporations continue to reap huge profits.
October 9
Peasant leaders and advocates from STOP Exploitation held a dialogue with Makabayan Representatives Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Renee Co of Kabataan Partylist, and Sarah Elago to raise their concerns and seek assistance in asserting the just increase in tobacco prices.
Despite the injustice, tobacco farmers owed to continue their fight for a just and fair tobacco price, genuine representation, and an end to corporate exploitation.
updates from the peasant movement of the Philippines 