- Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero asked Agriculture Chief Proceso Alcala to explain where the farmers’ money went
- He wants to know where the agency spent the funds allotted to help the farmers affected by the El Niño
- A farmers’ protest recently turned bloody after an encounter with policemen in Kidapawan
Where did the farmers’ money go?
This was the question raised by Senator Francis Escudero to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary, Proceso Alcala, following the violent dispersal of farmers in Kidapawan City last week.
In an article written by Xianne Arcangel of GMA News, it was disclosed that Escudero, in a statement, challenged Alcala to disclose how DA spent the funds allotted to help the farmers affected by the El Niño; noting that the public deserves a complete accounting.
“Taun-taon humihingi si Secretary Alcala ng pondo sa Kongreso para tulungan daw ang mga magsasaka at ibinibigay naman namin. Ang hindi katanggap-tanggap ay kung sino pa nagpapakain sa atin ay iyon ang walang makain. Nasaan na ang pera ng mga magsasaka [Every year, Secretary Alcala asks funds from the Congress to help the farmers and we give it to them. It’s unacceptable that the very reason why we have food has no food on their plates. Where did the farmers’ money go]?” the senator stated.
Last week, three people were killed and more than 100 were injured when a commotion ensued between peasants and the police during a rally staged by farmers along the Kidapawan City highway.
The rallyists asked the local government for help because their livelihood has been affected by El Niño. Among the forms of assistance the farmers have requested were the provision of free seeds and other inputs to replace their crops, as well as sacks of rice.
For 2016, a total of P91 billion was allotted for the agriculture sector; with the DA receiving the highest allocation of P40.33 billion from P39 billion last year. Moreover, the budget for the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was also increased to P32.74 billion this year from P28.75 billion in 2015.
Post a Comment