Farmers and rural women’s groups held consecutive protests on October 15 and 16 to mark the International Rural Women’s Day and World Food(less) Day.

Amihan National Federation of Peasant Women led women from Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite in a picket before the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to protest the lack of genuine agrarian reform in the country.

They highlighted several cases of land grabbing and conversion of agricultural land including seizures in the Araneta Estates in San Jose Del Monte City; Lupang Ramos in Dasmariñas, Cavite; Hacienda Luisita under TADECO, Aboitiz, and Ayala Land Inc.; lands in Nueva Ecija where CLOAs and CLTs were cancelled; 6,000 hectares of land taken over by oil palm plantations in Negros; and lands covered by state projects such as reclamation and Laguna Lake Road Network that will result in massive displacement of farmers.

Peasant women demanded the need for genuine land reform, fair farmgate prices for their produce, and access to food and land.

On the following day, October 16, women joined peasants and fisherfolk in a protest action before the Department of Agriculture (DA) to condemn the neoliberal and inutile government policies and programs that worsen hunger in the country. Farmers denounced the DA-supported importation policy which has destroyed local production.

The protests were held to commemorate the Peasant Month. In addition, peasant groups also held assemblies, study meetings and other activities in different parts of the country. They have also mounted projects like the “bagsakan” (farmers’ markets) in Metro Manila and Cebu, which various organization take part in.