Farmers who had traveled from Bicol, Laguna, and Bulacan staged a protest in front of the head office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Friday, World Hunger Day.

The protesters carried with them a “bucket list” consisting of immediate demands in response to the drought and consecutive calamities that have struck the country, reported RH 5 Val Gonzales.

Among the protesters are the groups Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas and Bantay Bigas, both of which conducted a program before the DA gates along the Elliptical Road, Quezon City.

The farmers called on the government to release the promised ₱45 billion in funds to combat the effects of El Niño. The farmer groups claimed only ₱6.2 billion had been disbursed under the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) program.

The groups also pressed for additional subsidies, fertilizer supplies, and free irrigation support, and a guarantee from the government that it will purchase their harvest.

The protest was done in silence.