Dozens of farmers from various Isabela towns gathered and joined the assembly of Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon ti Isabela (Dagami, or Peasant Association of Isabela) on May 11 in Santiago City. After the assembly, they marched to the city center to demand genuine land reform, support for production, and the promotion of the rights and welfare of peasants.

The assembly included discussions and activities under the theme “Forge strength and unity amid intensifying crisis and exploitation! Advance the struggle for land, wages, livelihood, and the rights of peasants and the people!” Former Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Atty. Neri Colmenares and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, or Peasant Movement of the Philippines) secretary general Ronnie Manalo served as key speakers.

Local farmers shared their experiences on the condition of the agricultural sector in Isabela. They recounted issues including the low prices of their produce, rising production costs, the impact of disasters, and the threat of a severe El Niño.

The farmers’ assembly then drafted and discussed Dagami’s one-year plan of action. The gathering also formally announced Dagami’s newly elected officials and leaders, whom the group expects to continue and strengthen the organization amid the worsening rural crisis.

The assembly was followed by a farmers’ march in Santiago City. They raised demands for genuine land reform, just wages, livelihood support, protection of farmers’ rights, justice, and the scrapping of the Rice Liberalization Law and other repressive government policies.

Dagami called for stronger unity and collective action among farmers and other oppressed sectors in the coming years. It also pledged to continue and intensify the struggle for land, rights, and genuine social change for farmers and the Filipino people.

Isabela makes a large contribution to the agricultural sector and is thus considered the “Rice Bowl of the North”. The province is the top producer of yellow corn and the second-largest producer of palay in the country. It also has extensive plantations of cassava, tobacco, pineapple, banana, and various vegetables.