A lack of information dissemination and local politics keep many farmers and fisherfolk from government database lists for agricultural workers, said former Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary and now Federation of Free Farmers Chairperson Leonie Montemayor, reported RH 9 Tina Nolasco on Wednesday.
“Siguro at least two reasons ang malamang diyan. Number one, kulang sa information sa mga magsasaka, manggagawang-bukid, mangingisda, who would be otherwise eligible, and they would want to register kung alam lang nila,” he said during a Kapihan sa Manila Hotel press conference.
“Palagay ko, maraming hindi pa nalalaman na dapat, magpa-rehistro ka sa municipal agriculture officer, para mapasok ka doon sa RSBSA—Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture—para once registered ka, eventually you’ll be entitled to free crop insurance, mga libreng binhi ng palay,” he added.
In addition, the former Agriculture chief said local partisan politics may be another primary reason farmers have been excluded from the list of government beneficiaries.
“I think another reason is kuwan, politics. May mga natatanggap ako na reklamo, mismo, sa aming mga miyembro. Pagka medyo hindi ka nagugustuhan ni mayor o ni municipal agriculturist, hindi ka papalista, kahit na you’re very much qualified to be a recipient under the ayuda program,” he told reporters.
Montemayor appealed to the government to conduct an information drive for farmers and for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to take measures against politically-motivated maneuvering during registration.
“Massive information campaign. Media, makatulong diyan. And then Department of Agriculture, they just exercise more efforts, also the local governments. And then pag dating sa pulitika, siguro, DILG, tingnan din nangyari diyan na hindi dapat subject to partisan politics ‘yung pagpaparehistro ng mga qualified RSBSA members,” he said.
This statement was made in response to data cited by Pampanga 4th District Rep. Anna York Bondoc previously, indicating that 40 percent of farmers are not in government lists, which is why they do not receive necessary aid.
