The Vice President of Caritas Philippines has expressed solidarity with the hardships faced by farmers and the ongoing crisis in the country’s agricultural sector.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos highlighted that the suffering of farmers and fisherfolk stems from a lack of government support and the effects of climate change.
Despite these challenges, the bishop urged them not to lose hope, assuring them of the Church’s unwavering support.
In a message sent to Radio Veritas Philippines, Alminaza said, “This year is the Jubilee Year of Hope—let us not lose hope. Together with our brothers and sisters, we, guided and assisted by our Creator, hold the key to our progress. May your unity and collective action succeed in showing that your only desire is a peaceful and prosperous life, not only for yourselves but also for future generations."
The bishop also offered prayers for the souls and families of the farmers in Guimba and Talavera, Nueva Ecija, who reportedly took their lives due to fear of not being able to pay their debts amid the continuous decline in rice prices.
At the same time, Alminaza called on the government to address the issues plaguing the agricultural sector to alleviate the suffering of farmers and fisherfolk.
“Taking one’s own life is not the solution to the hardships faced by Filipino farmers and fisherfolk. The burden on Filipino farmers has increased due to past laws permitting the influx of imported products, which have caused significant financial losses for them," he said.
Additionally, a Supreme Court ruling has threatened the livelihoods of many Filipino fisherfolk.
"Despite these challenges, we must remember that God has never abandoned us—He has made us instruments to fight for our right to a decent livelihood without resorting to violence,” the bishop further emphasized.
Alminaza expressed support for the planned protest by 150 farmers from Region 3, who are calling on the government to provide much-needed assistance.
According to a 2023 study by the Philippine Statistics Authority, farmers and fisherfolk in the country experience poverty incidence rates of 36.9% and 40.8%, respectively.
Caritas Philippines is the social development agency of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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