OPINION | Debt Condonation bill condemns farmers to poverty [Introspective By Calixto V. Chikiamco] READ:
By Calixto V. ChikiamcoThe Senate and Congress, and by extension, the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, Jr., which had certied the bill as urgent, is foregoing an opportunity to solve the single-biggest problem in agriculture and to modernize it.
Most, however, haven’t been able to pay these amortizations. Almost 80% of the beneficiaries are unable to pay their debts that totaled P52 billion. It’s not surprising why. Unfortunately, the Debt Condonation bill makes the situation even worse. The bill specifically prohibits condoned farmers from selling or leasing their land for 10 years, except through hereditary succession.
The average farm size is one hectare or less and therefore just too small to be modernized through the application of capital, management and scientific know-how to increase yield and productivity.If he wants to lease the land to a more productive farmer because he’s getting old — the average age of farmers is about 55 — or because he doesn’t earn enough from farming , the government won’t allow him to do so under the bill.It’s not the lack of budget or smuggling or agricultural imports.
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