The Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women denounced the approval on second reading of Resolution of Both Houses No. 2 that proposed revisions to the economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution which would worsen the farmers’ state of landlessness and the country’s food insecurity.
“Matagal nang nananawagan ang mga magbubukid ng lupa at ayuda pero ang sagot ng Kongreso ay ‘economic ChaCha’ na magpapalala ng malawakang kawalan ng lupa at pagpapalayas sa mga magsasaka sa kanilang lupang binubungkal. Sa halip na buhusan ng pondo ang suporta sa agrikultura para sa pagpapalakas ng produksyon ng pagkain, ipinagkait ito sa inaprubahang Bayanihan 3. Ang pagbibigay prayoridad ng Kongreso sa ChaCha sa gitna ng pandemya ay lantarang pagpapabaya sa mga ‘food security frontliners’ ng bansa,” Amihan national chairperson Zenaida Soriano said.
“The removal of the remaining protectionist provisions in the 1987 Constitution and the Duterte government’s dependence on foreign direct investments will further lead to plunder of our natural resources through the expansion of agricultural plantations, mining operations and other businesses by landlords and corporations both local and foreign while Filipino farmers, peasant women, agricultural workers and fisher folk are pushed deeper into poverty and hunger,” Soriano added.
“Walang gustong itira ni katiting na kahihiyan ang Kongresong ito na sunod-sunuran sa kagustuhan ni Duterte at mga alipores nito kahit napakalinaw na magreresulta sa ibayong pagdurusa ng mga maralita lalo na ng mga maralita sa kanayunan ang ChaCha,” Soriano exclaimed.
“We could never forget the damage brought about by Rice Liberalization Law to our local rice farmers and rice industry. If only our lawmakers and the Duterte government would heed the farmers’ demand and genuinely serve the interests of marginalized Filipinos, Soriano said.
“We are urging all patriotic and democracy-loving Filipinos to oppose Charter Change and defend our sovereignty against exploitation of Duterte, foreign powers and landlords. We should be vigilant against Duterte’s desperate measures to remain in power beyond 2022. Ipakita natin ang malawak na pagkamuhi ng mamamayang Pilipino sa palpak, pabaya, pasista at taksil sa bayan na gobyernong Duterte,” Soriano ended. ###
