Since disasters always include human components, there is nothing natural about it. Therefore, there is no such thing as a “natural” disaster; there was a human failure somewhere in how social, economic, and political systems were set up.
A global research showed how more than 70 percent of industrial greenhouse gases have been linked to only 100 companies since 1988.
“NFA should release the rice from warehouses and distribute it to farmers and fishermen who lost their income due to El Niño instead of making a profit and selling to private traders. Many are already complaining of hunger and loss, so the distribution of aid and compensation should be stepped up.”
“Governments must protect the rights of every child, especially boys and girls living in countries that have contributed least to this problem but are enduring the most dangerous floods, storms, and heat.”
The latest report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) revealed that Western Visayas is the most affected region with P687.7 million ($12.3M) in agricultural damage, followed by Mimaropa, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Calabarzon, and Zamboanga peninsula.
“Fishers also bear the brunt of the El Niño phenomenon. During drought, fish usually swim deeper than usual to seek cooler temperatures, making fishing more difficult and costly as we have to spend extra time and fuel.”
Farmers’ harvests this year are disappointingly smaller than before – not just in amount but in size also of the grains itself.
“Kidapawan should not be another Escalante, Mendiola or Luisita.”
There is enough supply of rice and there are funds that can be used to help the farmers.
The Peoples Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS) noted that the ongoing Senate inquiry revealed anomalies in calamity fund distribution and the government’s failure to provide food relief to families suffering from the effects of El Niño.