Monday, July 07, 2008 Capitol officials urged to review bio-fuels projects
MILITANT farmers in Negros Oriental called on provincial officials to review the existing and implemented bio-fuels projects in light of the worsening food crisis.
The move came as the militant Kapunungan Alang sa Ugma sa Gagmayng Mag-uuma sa Oriental Negros (Kaugmaon) wraps up its tours of the cities and towns in the province aimed at convincing local executives to address hunger woes brought about partly by the rice crisis that also affects the farmers.
The militant farmers group initiated an anti-hunger and anti- poverty campaign dubbed as "Kagutom" last May, and talking to local officials was part of its activity.
Kaugmaon is an affiliate of the nationwide Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP). Kagutom is the militant's vehicle for constant dialogs with local government units in Negros Oriental over the rice and fertilizer subsidy issues.
The campaign also aims to urge local officials to review the bio-fuels projects in the province.
"Nangaon na lang ang mga mag-uuma sa Negros og balanghoy karon labi na nga ningmahal og samot ang ubang panaliton ug kon dili gyud na tagaag pagtagad ang kabalaka sa pag-implementar aning bio-fuels, ambot asa na paingon ang mga mag-uuma ani," said Fermin Lorico, Kaugmaon chairperson, in a recent talk with reporters. (The farmers are eating cassava especially now that the prices of goods have gone up sharply. If their worry over the bio-fuels projects is not attended to, I don't know what will happen to the farmers.)
A World Bank report revealed that bio-fuel industries have caused world goods prices to increase by 75 percent.
Lorico lamented that despite talks with local officials in the towns and cities of the province, no one has expressed any desire to act on the matter. (EBS)
