A lawyer from Nueva Ecija has invited Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidate former Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos to a face-to-face dialogue with farmers in the province over the Rice Tariffication Law.

CABATBAT (left)

In a statement on Wednesday, Atty. Argel Cabatbat said the proposed dialogue in Guimba, Nueva Ecija is not to argue, but to listen, clarify, and work together toward long-term solutions for the agricultural sector.

“Maganda ang panukala ni Secretary Abalos na amyendahan ang Rice Tariffication Law. Pero mas magiging makabuluhan ito kung maririnig niya mismo ang kwento ng mga nasa bukid. Kaya inaanyayahan ko siyang bumaba sa Guimba para makinig tayo nang sabay sa hinaing ng mga magsasaka at farmworkers,” Cabatbat said.

(Secretary Abalos’ proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law are welcome. But I suggest that he listen to farmers face-to-face. I am inviting him to Guimba to listen to these farmers’ grievances)

He also hopes that officials from the Department of Agriculture would attend the dialogue to enable them to directly respond to these issues.

Cabatbat proposed the dialogue following reports about farmers distress due to palay prices in the province.

“Let’s be clear: farmworkers are farmers. Sila ang bumubuhay sa agrikultura, at hindi dapat ginagawang kasangkapan sa maling balita,” Cabatbat stated. “Hindi natin dapat hayaang masapawan ng fake news ang totoong laban—ang laban para sa patas na presyo, suporta sa lokal na ani, at buhay na may dignidad para sa ating mga magsasaka.”

(Let’s be clear: Farm workers are farmers. They should not be used as instruments to spread fake news. Let us not allow fake news to overshadow what the real battle is: The fight for fair prices, support for local produce, and dignified life for out farmers)