Sugarcane farmworkers in Barangay Kahil (not its real name) in the southern part of Negros won an increase in their daily wages after collectively confronting two landlords last June. Ang Paghimakas, the newspaper of the revolutionary movement in Negros, reported that wages were raised from ₱200-₱220 to ₱250, while payment for two passes of plowing was raised from ₱700 to ₱1,300 per hectare.

Nineteen households or 44 farmworkers from five sitios benefited from this. They won this victory amid much intensified military operations by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Ang Paghimakas said the antifeudal struggle in Barangay Kahil is already second organized resistance of the peasant masses during tiempo muerto or “dead season” which refers to the months between sugarcane planting cycles. The first wave was carried out in May.

Farmer’s picket. The peasants of Negros Occidental gathered and protested last August 29 before the provincial capitol in Bacolod City to demand the release of government funds to help them ride over tiempo muerto. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Negros and National Federation of Sugar Workers led the action.

They called on the Provincial Council to issue a resolution declaring continuous support for farmworkers who annually suffer hardship and hunger during the tiempo muerto. The peasants earlier submitted a letter to the vice governor on August 20 seeking a dialogue.

On August 20, peasants also held a picket and dialogue at the Department of Agriculture Region VI in Bacolod City. They submitted a letter as early as June to the agency to demand livelihood support.