Filipino Farmers and Fisherfolk Rally on International Day of Peasant Struggles Amid Soaring Costs
On this International Day of Peasant Struggles, farmers and fisherfolk from across the Philippines have mobilized in a nationally-coordinated protest, braving scorching heat to demand urgent government intervention. The intensifying energy crisis is driving up the costs of irrigation, transportation, and other essential aspects of food production, pushing local producers to the brink.
Skyrocketing Fuel Prices and Delayed Relief
Danny Carranza, Secretary-General of Kilusan para sa Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan (Katarungan), expressed frustration over the slow and inadequate distribution of relief funds. "Aside from the P10 billion, the Department of Agriculture still had P18 billion that went unused in 2025. For 2026, there is an additional P19 billion that can be sourced. Then there is another P32 billion that can be realigned. This would make a big difference if it is distributed quickly to more farmers and fisherfolk, and if the amount given is higher," Carranza stated. He emphasized that the Department of Agriculture must expedite the release of these funds to alleviate the distress faced by producers.
Plummeting Farmgate Prices Across Crops
Rice farmers in Tarlac City are grappling with a steep decline in palay farmgate prices. Henry Enriquez, a farmer-leader from Brgy. Maliwalo, highlighted the paradox: "The buying price of palay is very low right now, so why is rice so expensive? Because of this, many of us are wondering if we should still plant. Before, we were already preparing seedlings before May, but due to losses, farmers might just wait for the rainy season so expenses won’t be too high."
Coconut farmers are also suffering, as noted by Rhealyn Bermudez from San Narciso, Quezon: "The price of copra is now only P38 per kilo, whereas before it was around P50–55. Diesel costs have reached P150, and up to now, no one has received any subsidy. Our coconut farmers are suffering greatly."
Onion farmers face similar challenges. Carmelo Cabantugan from Occidental Mindoro shared, "We onion farmers have had a good harvest, but we have almost nowhere to sell it. Some traders will buy, but at extremely low prices. We end up earning nothing. The price of rice here is also high—around P67–70 per kilo for well-milled rice."
Sugarcane farmers are not spared, as Isabel Mansueto from Negros Oriental explained: "For us sugarcane farmers, the buying price of our product is also very low. Before, it was Php 2,400 per sack; now it’s only P2,100. As for molasses, it was bought at P19,000 in 2025, but now it’s only P6,000. On top of that, urea is also expensive—it used to be P2,000, now it’s P2,800. We also lack milling facilities here. We have nowhere to sell our products."
Fisherfolk Forced to Limit Activities
The fuel crisis has severely impacted fisherfolk, forcing many to reduce their fishing activities. Jolito M. Lojera, a fisherfolk leader in Quezon, stated, "Many fishers no longer go out to sea. If they do, they fish closer to shore because they can no longer afford to go to farther fishing grounds due to the high cost of fuel. Others have been forced to work in construction just to earn something. We still haven’t received any subsidy."
Nationwide Echoes of Concern
Farmers from provinces including Pampanga, Palawan, Eastern Samar, Leyte, North Cotabato, and Davao del Norte have echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the energy crisis exacerbates longstanding injustices. They argue that temporary aid is insufficient and demand systemic changes to support local production.
Key Demands for Sustainable Solutions
In response to the crisis, farmers and fisherfolk have outlined a series of demands:
- Higher and Immediate Cash Assistance: Expedite the release of substantial financial support to alleviate immediate hardships.
- Comprehensive Production Support: Implement solar-powered irrigation projects and water impounding systems to mitigate the impacts of the energy crisis and extreme heat.
- Logistical Aid: Mobilize Department of Agriculture mobile trucks to help transport produce to community markets.
- Price Support: Establish price controls for basic agricultural commodities like rice, sugar, coconut, and onion.
- Policy Relaxation: Streamline government processes to fast-track programs and projects for farmers and fishers.
- Biofuel Blending: Continue enforcing the Biofuels Act of 2006 to support coconut and sugarcane farmers.
- Agrarian Reform: Accelerate land distribution under agrarian reform programs.
- Renewable Energy Maximization: Enhance national energy independence through renewable sources.
- Food Sovereignty: Adopt food sovereignty as a framework for developing agriculture and food systems.
Warnings of Deepening Crisis
Without urgent intervention, farmers and fishers warn that the energy crisis, combined with systemic issues like prolonged droughts, declining soil fertility, and depleting water sources, will worsen poverty in farming communities and lead to severe food insecurity in the Philippines.
On this International Day of Peasant Struggles, Filipino farmers and fisherfolk stand in solidarity with global social movements, resisting repression and marginalization. They call for decisive action to address intersecting crises and uphold their rights to land, livelihood, and food sovereignty.
