North Cotabato farmers trooped to the provincial capital Kidapawan City on March 29 to demand 15,000 sacks of rice as El Niño subsidy. They asked for this so the 15,000 farmers affected by El Niño, projected to last until June 2016, would have something to eat.
The provincial government of Emmylou “Lala” Taliño-Mendoza previously allocated only three kilos per quarter. She did not talk with the farmers when they came to the capitol. The farmers’ barricade was brutally dispersed, killing at least 2 farmers and leaving scores injured.
Still, the farmers’ needs have not been met.
Governor Mendoza still gave no rice subsidy until today, April 7. Instead, her government, with the police, stood to block rice donations from concerned citizens and celebrities in the past week. She also said she would block donations from politicians for it would be an insult or politicking and she refused that North Cotabato become their stage for propaganda. This would include the possibility of blocking a P 31.5-million or 15,000 sacks of rice donation from the Davao City government.
Some celebrities and concerned citizens were quick to act and have donated more than 1,000 sacks, brought to the Spottswood Methodist Center where the farmers sought refuge after the bloody dispersal. These initial donations have been distributed to the farmers who stayed at the Methodist compound, according to Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas North Cotabato Spokesperson Jerry Alborne.
But, again, 15,000 sacks of rice are needed to aid the farmers in the province. The appeal for help remains an urgent one.
Progressive groups and religious groups have organized to receive and distribute the donations to the farmers to their hometowns, including other farmers affected who were not present in the 6,000-strong farmers’ barricade.
Cash donations are preferable for those from outside Mindanao to lessen logistical expenses and concerns. Sacks of rice and other food items may be given as donations for those who may be able to make arrangements to bring them to these networks.
Balsa Mindanao: Bulig Alang sa Mindanao
People’s Mobilization for Disaster Response and Climate Justice
For donations in kind, send to:
Kalinaw Center for Interfaith Resources
Francisco St., Juna Subdivision, Matina, Davao City
Contact details:
+63-2-3272719
balsamindanao@gmail.com
Bank account details:
Bank: BPI
Branch: MacArthur Highway Branch, Davao City
Account name: Bulig Alang sa Mindanao, Inc. (Balsa Mindanao)
Account number: 2143173421 (Peso)
Account number: 2144008742 (Dollar)
SWIFT Code: BOPIPHMM
Dambana: Damayang Simbahan sa Panahon ng Disaster
An Ecumenical Disaster Response
For donations in kind, send to:
3rd flr National Council of Churches in the Philippines
879 Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), West Triangle
1104 Quezon City Philippines
Contact details:
dambana.church@gmail.com
+63-2-9251786
+63-929-2269708
Bank account details:
Bank: BPI
Branch: Kasimbayan
Account number: 3051118501
Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio Foundation
Contact Person:
Bai Ali Indayla
+63-946-9640794
Bank account details:
Bank: BDO
Branch: SM Davao
Account name: Fr. Fausto “Pops” Tentorio Foundation, Inc.
Account number: 000860494438
SWIFT Code: BNORPHMM
