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SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur—Amid the region’s economic crisis and a string of natural disasters, the Solidarity of Peasants Against Exploitation (STOP Exploitation)-Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Ilocos has called for immediate government assistance for farmers and fishermen.
In a recent statement, the group urged the government to provide comprehensive aid, compensation and rehabilitation, saying farmers and fishermen were already struggling with rising production costs, low farmgate prices, mounting debts and declining incomes even before the recent natural disasters.
According to Julie Balangue, regional spokesperson of STOP Exploitation-KMP Ilocos, the successive crises—from rising fuel prices since March and the effects of the El Niño phenomenon to the recent typhoons battering Northern Luzon—had further damaged crops, fishponds, fishing equipment, irrigation systems and other agricultural infrastructure.
STOP Exploitation-KMP Ilocos also blamed inadequate flood-control measures for worsening flooding during typhoons and the southwest monsoon, while calling for accountability over alleged anomalies in flood-control projects.
