CHIZ CONDEMNS VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF PROTESTING
FARMERS IN KIDAPAWAN

Independent vice-presidential candidate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero condemned in the strongest terms the violent dispersal of farmers, mostly lumads, who gathered along the Cotabato-Davao highway in Kidapawan City to protest and demand for immediate relief from the devastating effects of El Niño.

Initial reports indicate that one person was confirmed dead and eight were seriously injured in the dispersal. There were also reports that victims include children.

"I believe that every citizen has a right to freedom of assembly and the concerns of these poor farmers are valid. The least the government could do is listen to their concerns and do something about it," Escudero said.

The farmers were dispersed on the third day of their protest after they rejected an offer of three kilos of rice quarterly. Their immediate demand was for 15,000 sacks of rice to stave off hunger until they can resume planting.

They also asked for free seeds and other agricultural inputs so they can replace the crops they have lost since the drought struck in November, as well as reasonable increase in the market prices of their produce.

Escudero, who tops all pre-election surveys as the most preferred candidate for vice president, said authorities should have exercised maximum tolerance and facilitated peaceful dispersal, considering that those farmers have "all the right to gather and speak freely on matters that affect their livelihood and well-being."

"The government must be reminded that violence can never be a solution to any perceived differences since there are other peaceful and constructive means of resolving differences," Escudero pointed out.

Escudero has been pushing the government to download funds in order to assist farmers affected by the long-drawn dry spell since the state weather bureau started issuing warnings as early as last year.

The agriculture sector hosts 60 percent of the poorest in the country, and Escudero said there is a need to increase the budget allocation for farmers and fisherfolk to at least P300 billion annually to help improve their plight and increase their household income.

If elected in May, Escudero said the "Gobyernong may Puso" will build more farm-to-market roads to increase by at least 7 percent the income of farmers, grant more subsidies, increase support services and provide free irrigation system.

Under the P3.02-trillion budget of the administration, the sector gets only P94 billion.