By Liza Soriano

MANILA — The MAGSASAKA Party-List (MPL), led by Atty. Argel Cabatbat, the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), and several agricultural groups have united to improve the lives of Filipino farmers and fisherfolk.

In addition to MPL and FFF, the alliance includes the National Federation of Small Water Irrigation Systems Associations (SWISAs), Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA), National Federation of Tobacco Agricultural Cooperatives (NAFTAC), Kalipunan ng Maliliit na Magniniyog sa Pilipinas (KAMMPIL), Aniban ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (AMA), and various regional, provincial, and local organizations and cooperatives.

Atty. Cabatbat was joined at the conference by FFF head Leonie Montemayor, SWISAs leader Joel Pangalilingan, AMA leader Ronaldo Doganasol, and KAMMPIL leader Reynaldo Monteverde.

In a Unity Statement, the groups shared a common vision for a prosperous and self-sufficient Philippines, ensuring that every Filipino has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food.

“Together, we will strive to uplift each other and ensure that every voice in our agricultural community and marginalized sectors is heard and valued,” the statement read.

“Our Alliance is here to support — not as leaders, but as true partners, standing with you every step of the way. Your challenges are our shared concern, and your successes are victories for every Filipino who dreams of a better, fairer, and more prosperous future,” the declaration continued.

During the Magsasaka Para sa Lahat National Consultation Conference held from September 27 to 29 in Quezon City, these groups discussed the challenges faced by farmers. These include ongoing struggles to secure land rights and the impact of low commodity prices, worsened by the influx of imported agricultural products.

Additionally, municipal fisherfolk face dwindling fish stocks and the encroachment of commercial fishing into their traditional fishing areas, while imported fish flood the market, making competition difficult for local fishers.

The poultry, hog, and livestock sectors also struggle with rising production costs, diseases like African swine fever, and the instability caused by imported meats.

“These challenges, driven by unfair trade policies and importation practices, threaten not only the survival of our agricultural sectors but also our nation’s food security and self-sufficiency,” the joint statement added.

The groups pledged to advocate for the agricultural sector to ensure that their needs are met and their voices are heard.

“We will ensure that the needs and rights of those who feed our nation — from rice fields to fisheries, from poultry farms to piggeries — are finally given the attention they deserve.”

ia/mnm