Hear the cries of our Farmers

by Eykaey Tadiosa, Philippines

Iam here in the hospital with my grandmother. She has an unstable angina, and a realisation came to me, that I should renew my license as a registered nurse even though I am a pastor. At first, I thought that not renewing my license is fine because I am not always practicing my nursing skills, but something needs to be continued. I need to save lives.

Last ecclesial year 2018 until 2019, I was an intern administrative pastor assigned to two United Church of Christ in the Philippines’ churches, a mother and daughter church. As a church, they are different in dynamics and 27km away from each other but share the same needs. As I stayed in the daughter church in a very remote area where it took for me a 3-4 hour walk just to visit the houses of the congregation, I saw and heard their different stories and cries. I had the opportunity to experience living with them, working with them. Sadly, on the current situation of this province, their livelihood as coconut and palay (pre-husked rice) farmers was affected by the low copra and palay prices. Their hope on coconut and palays as their source of income gradually decreases. It was so sad to see that due to this, no one would like to spend time in the agricultural field. Many couldn’t finish their studies because their families could no longer can afford their expenses in school. Many of the youths are leaving their rural communities and looking for jobs in the urban industrial area. Because farming cannot sustain the needs of the family, the parents just let their children marry at a young age. And I think this is one of the factors in the Philippines where we have so many young mothers aged 14-15 especially in the rural areas.

Many would say that living in the rural area is better than living in the city but “simple living” shouldn’t be a definition of being inhumane to farmers. We should give them what is right and what should rightly be theirs. We shouldn’t take advantage of their weaknesses because they weren’t able to study besides learning to count, to write their name and to read in our native language. They are really kind, generous, hospitable and loving people. They know how to care for and feed people even though I knew they have nothing.

They are giving their blood and sweat just to produce food for us to eat. But the real score here in the Philippines, is that not only is climate change a headache for the farmers and peasants but also the capitalists who are eating them alive. Buying their produce for low prices until they fall into debt and will lease or sell their land so that they can pay for their debt. But these different land developers are silently clapping their ears and invisibly jumping in joy because they can now buy these agricultural lands. Agricultural land here in the Philippines is really cheap compared to residential and commercial land. For capitalists, that’s why this kind of land is a good investment since they can then convert it and resell it at a higher price. Then it is no wonder why houses in the subdivisions are flooded, being sunk into the ground. Many of the fields are converted into industrial and residential use, and it was sad to see and hear that not only the farmers are crying but the land is screaming.

I want to speak up. I need to continue the farmers and peasants’ advocacy. I must do something. But I am afraid to speak up and end up just like the young female human rights activist who was being red-tagged and forcibly arrested by the military because she’s defending the rights of the farmers. The farmers and their families are getting hungry everyday and this kind of corruption running in our government is getting worse. I thought we are just importing from different countries goods which are uncommon to produce in my country, but it is alarming to know that we are also importing bananas, mangoes and rice grains which are all very native to my land.

And I am being challenged to plant a seed of hope, awareness and action. Something must be done. I can’t just let my tears fall without doing a concrete way of helping the farmers and their families. Yes, I am mad and angry. But I have a greater role as a shepherd of the flock, spiritual leader and chief executive officer of the congregation being entrusted to me. I will equip this congregation to be God’s vessel of fullness and to live meaningful lives, especially the youth who are the future hope of my motherland. I need to act in such a way that no one will be harmed and hurt. Although we have this kind of human rights violation issues especially if we get in the way of the selfish and greedy in power and wealth, I will still continue to raise awareness. I now understand why all of my ancestors were striving hard for justice and peace; it was not only for those they are helping but for everyone and for the future generation. Truly, everyone and everything are connected to each other. And I will continue to save lives in every way I am capable of, with the help and guidance of the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.