500 rallyists gather at Mendiola, demand support for agricultural workers

Around 500 demonstrators from different groups gathered at Mendiola, Manila on Friday morning, Oct. 20, urging the government to address the needs of farmers, fishermen and other agricultural workers in the country.

The Manila Police District (MPD) said the rallyists called for food provision, land reform, and climate justice for people in rural areas as they marched from Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City to Mendiola.

The protests was in line with the Peasant Month, which is celebrated every October, to honor the country’s food producers such as farmers, fishermen and other agricultural workers in the country.

Police said the program started at 10:10 a.m.

“Stop killing the farmers!” and “Suporta para sa produksyon ng agrikultura (support for agricultural productions)” were some of their messages on their placards.

“Sahod itaas, presyo ibaba! (increase the salary and lower the prices), “lupa-lupa sa magsasaka! (land for farmers)” and “Tunay na reporma sa lupa, ipaglaban (fight for land true reform),” they chanted.

They also called for the strengthening of local production, not imports.

They urged all farmers to unite and fight for their land rights and for their livelihood, food, and justice.

They also demanded for the increase in price of to improve the farmers’ income.

The rallyists who joined the rally are members of the Anakpawis, Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD), Migrante, Gabriela, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Tanggol Magsasaka, Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan (Sinagbayan), Katipunan ng Manggagawang Makabayan (KMM), Alyansa ng mga Manggagawa sa Probinsya ng Laguna (ALMAPILA), Global Peoples Caravan, Pamalakaya, and Courage. — Richielyn Canlas

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