Farmers and fisherfolk stormed and protested before the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Quezon City today, October 29, to hold the agency accountable and demand compensation for all those affected by Typhoon Kristine. Along with environmental groups, they also trooped to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to hold the agency accountable for its role in environmental destruction.

“We are not satisfied with the meager, occasional aid that does not cover all those affected,” Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya (Pamalakaya) second chairperson and Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidate Ronnel Arambulo said. He said that the government should provide long-term compensation in the form of indemnification and rehabilitation of damaged farms, communities, and fishing areas.

According to the group, Typhoon Kristine severely affected over 200,000 fisherfolk in Bicol, the most affected region in the country. As of today, the DA reported that the typhoon’s total damage to the agricultural sector has reached ₱3.4 billion. Conervatively, it said ito only affected around 80,000 farmers.

“The devastation of recent typhoons can no longer be considered simple tragedies. Decades-long projects of reclamation, large-scale mining, and quarrying have worsened the effects of natural disasters and further endangered vulnerable communities,” Arambulo said.

He added that the government, through the DENR, is gravely accountable for issuing permits to destructive projects.