The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) on Wednesday, Oct. 25 led farmer groups in echoing calls for the "full abolition" of the confidential intelligence funds (CIF) and "to rechannel" the budget for agricultural subsidies and social services.

According to the assembly's manifesto during the event at the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations (UP SOLAIR), the use of CIF was "discrete" and "unscrupulous" pertaining to the absence of checks and balances, said KMP.

Moreover, KMP said the funds should be allocated to agricultural needs and others including health and education.

"We demand the rechanneling of such funds to much needed social services inluding health, free education, affordable housing, agricultural subsidies, among other more important needs," said KMP chairman emeritus Rafael Mariano.

"Instead towards the pockets of some, the funds should go to the increased wages and benefits of teachers, health workers, and other government employees; subsidies for small-time farmers, fisherfolks and improvement of agriculture; and other significant needs," Mariano added in Filipino.

KMP said it had previously filed its proposed budget amendments to the Committee on Appropriations in the Lower House and in Senate seeking additional budget for the National Food Authority (NFA) rice procurement program and production subsidies for farmers and fisherfolks.

"Kailangang panagutin ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno, mula lokal hanggang pambansa, na naglustay at nag-abuso ng kanilang mga CIF at iba pang kahalintulad na pondo (There is a need for the government officials who squander and abuse their CIF and the same to be held accountable)," KMP said. (Lizst Torres Abello)