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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Farmers' groups protest DOF, NEDA agricultural policies

Farmers' groups protest DOF, NEDA agricultural policies

Published Sep 26, 2023 06:20 am
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(Photo from Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin file)

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women and food security advocates on Tuesday, Sept. 26 protested alongside various farmer organizations and agricultural stakeholders to demand the removal of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and National Economic and Development Authority Director General Arsenio Balisacan amid their "neoliberal" policies.

KMP said more than 20 farmer-organizations signed a petition requesting the removal of Diokno and Balisacan.

Former DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano claimed that Diokno supports "anti-people" policies that bring “disadvantages” to Filipinos.

"Naglista kami ng mga kasalanan ni Secretary Diokno sa mamamayang Pilipino at ito ang nakita namin (We listed down faults of Secretary Diokno to Filipino people, and this is what we see)," he said.

"Secretary Diokno who leads the economic team of Marcos Jr. avidly supports and espouses the following anti-people neoliberal policies to the detriment and disadvantage of Filipinos," he added.

Mariano mentioned policies such as Republic Act (RA) 11203 or the Rice Liberalization Law, the Maharlika Sovereign Wealth Fund, sugar industry liberalization, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

KMP also said the implementation of the rice tariffication law harmed the local rice industry and drove rice farmers into debt and poverty.

"Since the implementation of RA 11203, local rice farmers have incurred more than P265 billion in losses due to the massive influx of imported rice," Mariano said.

KMP pointed out that there are compelling reasons to remove Diokno and Balisacan, including the former’s opposition to the removal or suspension of the oil excise tax and the plan to review the free tuition law.

"We have more than enough reasons to demand the removal of Diokno and Balisacan who both represent the interests of local and foreign big businesses," Mariano said. (Lizst Torres Abello) 

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