Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura

04/10/2026

CALL FOR DONATIONS
MONETARY AND FARM TOOLS

This Peasant Month, peasant organizations Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) humbly ask for your assistance in upcoming land harvests within Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac!

In the midst of pervasive landlessness brought upon by government negligence and neoliberalization, the agricultural workers of Hacienda Luisita often rely on community support in order to productivize their land. AMBALA will require the following in kind:

- Karit/Sickles
- Gloves

Financial donations of any amount will also be appreciated. Majority of the harvest from this land cultivation will go towards materially supporting members of AMBALA and ensuring future organizational efforts.

Please indicate “For HL” in notes of donations. Thank you!

03/10/2026

Malacañang’s failure to assure preparations for ‘very strong El Niño’ fuels public panic – KMP

Peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) called on the Marcos government to provide concrete plans as a projected “very strong El Niño” raises the possibility of crop losses, water shortages and higher food prices.

Survival communities and prepping groups have recently gone viral online amid reports that heat-related deaths in the Philippines could reach 6,500 between September 2026 to February 2027, while global heat deaths could reach more than 450,000.

“Malacañang has earlier told Filipinos not to hoard water and assured the public that the government is preparing for the El Niño. But vague assurances will not ease public anxiety without clear targets for agricultural production and farmer support that will ensure food stocks.”

“Sinasabihan na huwag mag-panic ang mga tao pero kung walang nakikitang paghahanda ang gobyerno, madali talagang matatakot ang publiko. El Nino ‘preppers’ show that they do not trust the government’s preparedness,” said KMP Chairperson Danilo Ramos.

DOST-PAGASA said a strong El Niño is already active and could intensify into a very strong El Niño between September and December 2026, potentially persisting through the first half of 2027. The Department of Agriculture (DA) estimates that rice production could fall by up to 700,000 metric tons, or 3.5% of its annual target.

The country’s rice buffer is also a concern. As of September 18, the National Food Authority had 278,444 MT of milled rice inventory, equivalent to about seven days of its daily requirement. From January to September, the NFA had procured only 92,032 MT of palay.

While the Marcos administration has announced preparations, including the activation of an El Niño task force, irrigation interventions and assistance for farmers, the KMP said these measures must be matched by sufficient stocks and production support.

The threat of El Niño also extends across Asia. The Food and Agriculture Organization identified South and Southeast Asia among the regions highly exposed to El Niño-related agricultural drought. Experts warn that drought and reduced agricultural production could push up food and commodity prices. “The Philippines cannot simply rely on imports when El Niño is also threatening agricultural production across Asia,” Ramos said.

Globally, the World Meteorological Organization expects El Niño to strengthen toward very strong levels by the end of 2026, with a nearly 100% probability of persistence through February 2027.

KMP urged the government to immediately disclose its contingency targets for rice, corn, and other basic food stocks. “The El Niño warning is already here. Malacañang must replace flimsy assurances with concrete targets and immediate support for farmers. Filipino families should not be left scrambling for food and water when the drought peaks,” Ramos concluded. # # #

01/10/2026

KAISA ANG MGA MANGGAGAWANG BUKID SA ASYENDA LUISITA SA PANAWAGAN NG URING MAGBUBUKID NGAYONG BUWAN NG MGA PESANTE!

Ang buwan ng Oktubre ay tinaguriang buwan ng magbubukid at kaisa ang Alyansa ng Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA) sa lahat ng magsasaka sa buong bansa sa pagpupunyagi sa mga tagumpay ng sama-samang pagkilos ng kanilang hanay at ang patuloy at walang kapagurang pakikibaka para sa lupa at kabuhayan!

Sa gitna ng tumitinding krisis ng kawalan ng lupa, kawalang-katiyakan sa kabuhayan, pangangamkam at kumbersyon ng mga lupang agrikultural, at iba’t ibang anyo ng panggigipit, patuloy nating itinataas ang panawagan para sa tunay na repormang agraryo.

Sa Hacienda Luisita, kalakhan ng lupang ipinamahagi sa ilalim ng CARPER ay wala na sa kamay ng mga manggagawang-bukid. Samu’t saring panlilinlang at iskema ang isinagawa at patuloy na ginagawa ng panginoong maylupang Conjuangco-Aquino-Lorenzo, mga dambuhalang korporasyon na Ayala at Aboitiz, kasabwat at kasangkapan ang DAR at mismong estado. Kaliwa’t kanan ang pangangamkam ng lupa ng mga kapitalista, tulad ng nagpapatuloy na pagtatayo ng 384-ektaryang TARI Estate ng Aboitiz at 290-ektaryang Cresendo Estate ng Ayala at pagkakansela ng mismong Office of the president ng Notice of Coverage ng 358 ektaryang lupang TADECO. Sa pagpapalawak ng kanilang negosyo, malawak na palayasan ang kakaharapin ng napakaraming magsasaka, manggagawang-bukid, at residente ng Asyenda upang bigyang-daan ang mga grandyosong planong nakapaloob sa Hacienda Luisita Masterplan na naglalayong burahin ang lahat ng lupang agrikultural at buong komunidad.

Bahagi rin ito ng pagtutulak sa buong lalawigan bilang Luzon Economic Corridor, kasabay ng nilalakong 1,600-ektaryang Pax Silica ng rehimeng US-Marcos sa Capas, Tarlac, na magpapalayas sa napakaraming katutubong Aeta upang maitaguyod ang mga data center at produksyon ng kagamitang pandigma ng US. Tinatayang ₱174 milyon ang aprubadong badyet ng Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) para sa extension ng Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) upang pabilisin ang akses patungong TARI Estate, hindi para sa kapakinabangan ng mga taumbaryo.

Naniniwala ang AMBALA na ang pakikibaka para sa lupa ay hindi nagtatapos sa pagkakaroon ng titulo, kundi sa pagtataguyod ng karapatang manatili, magbungkal, at magkaroon ng tunay na kontrol sa lupang kanilang pinagyayaman. Sa harap ng patuloy na pandarahas, intimidasyon, harassment, at surveillance sa mga lider magsasaka, makatarungan lamang ang paglaban ng mga manggagawang-bukid at buong mamamayan ng Luisita.

Kaya, ngayong buwan ng mga Magbubukid, patuloy tayong maninindigan at makikibaka para sa tunay na reporma sa lupa kasama ang iba pang magbubukid mula sa iba't ibang panig ng bansa, kasabay ng ating paniningil sa pahirap at papet ng US na tambalang Marcos-Duterte. Sapagkat ang sama-samang laban para sa lupa ay sama-samang laban para sa pagkain, kabuhayan, at kinabukasan ng buong sambayanan.

MABUHAY ANG MGA MANGGAGAWANG BUKID AT MAMAMAYAN NG ASYENDA LUISITA!
MABUHAY ANG URING MAGBUBUKID!
TUNAY NA REPORMA SA LUPA, IPAGLABAN!

01/10/2026

*PESTICIDE KILLS US! How much longer will we stay silent?*

The threat of toxic chemicals is real, echoing from global supply chains down to the daily lives of plantation workers. Join us to uncover the truth and amplify the voices from the ground in our _*Public Discussion and International Campaign!*_

📌 *What We Will Discuss:* Exposing the agrochemical industry, supply chains, banned chemicals, *PESTICIDE KILLS US! How much longer will we stay silent?*

The threat of toxic chemicals is real, echoing from global supply chains down to the daily lives of plantation workers. Join us to uncover the truth and amplify the voices from the ground in our _*Public Discussion and International Campaign!*_

📌 *What We Will Discuss:* Exposing the agrochemical industry, supply chains, banned chemicals, national policy, and hearing directly from palm oil plantation workers.

🗣️ *Lead Speakers:* Sonia Buftheim (Researcher), Gi Estrada (UMA)
🎙️ *Speakers:* UMA, SEPASI, SBMB, Serbukindo, SPBR, FSP-IPSI, and all participants in attendance.
🎤 *Moderator:* Aisha Utami

_*Save the Date!*_
📆 *Date:* October 2, 2026
⏰ *Time:* 15:00 WIB (GMT+7) | 16:00 PHT (GMT+8) | 08:00 UTC (GMT+0)
💻 *Platform:* Zoom Meeting (ID: 882 5033 4560, Passcode: 395057)
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88250334560?pwd=OSoMbbUBdFcSUNKgbkYQnQMbAsVU6t.1

Please share this invitation with your networks. Our solidarity is our strength! ✊ policy, and hearing directly from palm oil plantation workers.

27/09/2026

Lumipas na ang mahabang panahon ay hindi pa rin naiuuwi ang labi ni Errol sa kanyang pamilya. Hanggang kailan maghihintay ang sambayanan sa prosesong sinasadyang pabagalin ng pasistang gobyerno upang hindi makamit ang hustisya para sa mga pinaslang ng militar sa Negros? Samu't saring paglabag na sa karapatang pantao ang ginagawa ng rehimeng Marcos, Jr. Ngunit sa kabila nito ay hinding-hindi rin magsasawang manawagan ang taumbayan ng hustisya para sa Negros-19! Singilin ang pasistang militar at mga nasa likod ng pag-utos upang paslangin ang mga manggagawang kultural sa Negros!

Hustisya para sa Negros-19!

27/09/2026

Falling peso deepens crisis of import-dependent agriculture, says KMP

The continuing decline of the Philippine peso is adding pressure to the cost of imported food and agricultural inputs, exposing the risks of the country’s growing dependence on imports, peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said.

The peso stood at Php62.725 to the US dollar on September 22, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). A weaker peso means importers need more pesos to pay for the same dollar-denominated commodities, including food, fuel, fertilizer, feeds, pesticides, machinery and other agricultural inputs.

“Kapag humihina ang piso, mas mahal ang binabayaran para sa mga imported na pagkain at kagamitan sa produksyon. Hindi lang konsyumer ang tinatamaan. Lalo ring tumataas ang gastos ng mga magsasaka na gumagamit ng inputs na karamihan ay imported,” said KMP Secretary General Ronnie Manalo.

The Philippines is particularly vulnerable because of its large agricultural trade deficit. In 2025, agricultural imports reached a record US$20.37 billion, while agricultural exports amounted to US$9.25 billion, leaving an agricultural trade deficit of US$11.12 billion. Imports accounted for 68.8% of total agricultural trade, with cereals registering the largest import value at US$3.89 billion.

The dependence on imports has continued this year. In July 2026, agricultural imports reached US$1.90 billion, up 8.4% from the same month last year and accounting for 72.9% of agricultural trade. Agricultural exports, meanwhile, fell 10.3% year-on-year to US$705.23 million, resulting in a US$1.19-billion agricultural trade deficit, 23.7% higher than a year earlier.

“Hindi lang bigas ang usapin. Kasama ang fertilizer, feeds, pesticides, krudo at mga makinarya na halos lahat imported. Kapag mas mahal ang dolyar, tumataas ang halaga ng farm inputs sa piso. Kapag tumaas ang production cost, mas lalong nagigipit ang mga magsasaka,” Manalo said. Average production cost of palay per hectare ranges from Php45,000 to Php60,000 even before the steep peso decline.

The weak peso can also increase the Philippine peso cost of imported rice, although actual domestic prices are also affected by international rice prices, tariffs, freight, domestic supply and other costs. For farmers, higher input costs can further squeeze already tight farm incomes.

KMP said the pressure is compounded by elevated food inflation. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported a 6.1% overall inflation in August 2026. Food inflation remained a significant contributor, while rice inflation accelerated to 19.4% in August from 17.1% in July.

“Hindi puwedeng puro importasyon ang alam atupagin ng gobyerno habang humihina ang piso. Kapag umaasa tayo sa imported na pagkain at consumer goods, tayo rin ang nagbabayad kapag tumataas ang halaga ng dolyar,” Manalo said.

KMP said the peso’s weakness underscores the need to cut the country’s dependence on imported food and a halt to agricultural trade liberalization. It called for stronger domestic food production, adequate subsidies and support for farmers, subsidized farm inputs, expanded government procurement of local produce, and policies that protect and develop local agriculture.

“The weakening peso exposes the vulnerability of an agricultural system that depends heavily on imports. Farmers must uphold the strengthening of domestic production and push for genuine land reform and rural industrialization,” Manalo said. # # #

24/09/2026

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

Farmers warn of severe rice crisis as "strong El Niño" intensifies: Marcos gov’t unprepared

The Marcos government is failing to match the scale of preparations needed as an exceptionally strong El Niño threatens local rice production, food prices and farmers’ livelihoods, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said today.

PAGASA has confirmed that moderate to strong El Niño is already present and is expected to persist until the first half of 2027. Climate models indicate that it could reach a very strong state before the end of 2026, increasing the likelihood of below-normal rainfall, dry spells and drought in parts of the country.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) projects that a strong El Niño could reduce rice production by as much as 700,000 metric tons, equivalent to 3.5% of its annual production target. The impact could be particularly severe during the 2027 dry-season harvest, when irrigation and water availability will be critical.

“Kailangan maghanda. Papasok tayo sa isang napakalaking panganib sa pagkain habang mataas pa rin ang presyo ng bigas, mahal ang abono at krudo, at kapos ang kita ng mga magsasaka,” said KMP Secretary General Ronnie Manalo.

“Hindi mabibigyang proteksyon ng El Niño task force, cloud seeding at pansamantalang mga programa ng gobyerno ang mga magsasaka sa posibleng matinding epekto ng tagtuyod. Kailangan ng malawak at pangmatagalang suporta sa produksyon,” Manalo added.

The developing El Niño is also raising concerns over food security beyond the Philippines. The unusually strong climate event could bring severe drought and heat across Southeast Asia, with potentially serious consequences for agriculture, fisheries and food supplies. With India, Vietnam and Thailand among the world’s major rice exporters, simultaneous production losses across the region could tighten global rice supplies and push up food prices, leaving import-dependent countries such as the Philippines particularly exposed.

This creates a double vulnerability for the Philippines: domestic palay production could fall just as weather disruptions affect major rice-producing and exporting countries that supply the country. The DA has opted to keep rice imports open this year in anticipation of supply risks from El Nino, with imports reaching 3.5MMT as of August 2.

“Hindi pwedeng umasa ang Pilipinas sa importasyon para takpan ang kakulangan sa lokal na produksyon habang ang mga pangunahing rice exporters sa Asya gaya ng Vietnam at Thailand ay maaari ring tamaan ng tagtuyot,” Manalo said.

“Kung bumaba ang ani dito at bumaba rin ang produksyon ng mga bansang pinag-iimportan natin, sino ang sasalo sa problema? Mga magsasaka ang unang mawawalan ng kita at mga konsyumer ang unang papasan sa mahal na presyo ng pagkain,” he added.

The DA has reconvened its El Niño task force and is pursuing measures including cloud seeding, solar-powered irrigation, adjustments to planting calendars and crop diversification. It has also called for continuous revisions of its response plans. But KMP said these measures remain inadequate against the scale and duration of the threat.

The group cited the country’s continuing dependence on rice imports, inadequate irrigation and water-storage infrastructure, high fertilizer and fuel costs, and insufficient and unsustained production support for farmers. “Short-term interventions cannot substitute for a comprehensive food-security program that protects and strengthens domestic production,” KMP said.

“Marami nang lugar sa bansa ang nakakaranas ng tagtuyot, laluna sa Visayas at Mindanao. Nagsimula nang matuyo ang mga bukid at bumagsak ang ani. Marami ang hindi makapagtanim dahil walang sapat na tubig irigasyon. Sa Bohol at Iloilo, nararanasan na ang mas kaunting ulan,” Manalo said.

KMP called for free and adequate agricultural inputs, expanded irrigation and water-storage infrastructure, emergency assistance for farmers affected by dry spells and drought, and guaranteed government procurement of palay at fair prices.

The farmers’ group also warned against using El Niño as justification for further dependence on imported rice. “Hindi tunay na paghahanda ang mas maraming importasyon. Dapat palakasin ang lokal na produksyon at tiyakin na may sapat at tuloy-tuloy na suporta ang mga magsasaka,” Manalo concluded. # # #

23/09/2026

54th Anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law: Negrosanons Decry Continuing State Repression Under Marcos Jr.

BACOLOD CITY — Different sectors in Bacolod City marked the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law on Monday by bringing to the streets a call to end what they described as the continuing use of state repression, violence, and restrictions on democratic rights from the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. to the administration of his son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Workers, youth, peasants, human rights advocates, and other sectors joined the mobilization organized by Human Rights Advocates Negros (HRAN) and Manindigan Negros. Beyond commemorating the abuses committed during Martial Law, protesters linked the history of state violence to present-day concerns over corruption, human rights violations, landlessness, attacks on activists, and restrictions on the right to protest.

Read more here: https://paghimutad.com/2026/09/23/54th-anniversary-of-the-declaration-of-martial-law-negrosanons-decry-continuing-state-repression-under-marcos-jr/