Negros Occidental farmers gathered and protested before the Bacolod City provincial capitol on August 29 to demand the release of government funds in time of the tiempo muerto. Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Negros and National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) led the action.

They urged provincial vice governor Jeffrey Ferrer, serving as the Provincial Council head, to issue a resolution declaring sustained support for the farm workers who suffer hardship and hunger annually during tiempo muerto. The farmers earlier submitted a letter to the vice governor on August 20 for a dialogue.

The local government does not make adequate and meaningful preparations during tiempo muerto. Every year it fails to provide enough funds to support farmers, KMP and NFSW said.

On August 20, farmers also pickected and held a dialogue in the Department of Agriculture (DA) Region VI in Bacolod City. They submitted a letter to the agency as early as June to demand economic support. In response, a select few farmers were given some seeds and a few livestock.

KMP stated that farmers are tired with what they called “band-aid” solutions and called on the local government and agencies to heed their long-standing call for sustained rural support and the genuine land reform. It is said that these will help improve their livelihood that will support their family.