By Manny Piñol
I have been asked several times what it is that keeps me travelling to far away places in the country and talking directly with farmers, fisherfolk and other stakeholders in agriculture.
The answer is simple.
Do you know how it feels when you see farmers and fishermen laugh, rejoice and even shed tears after receiving very simple things from government?
There are simply no words to describe the feeling of a farmer’s son seeing that I am able to bring happiness to people who could have well been my grandfather and my father.
Last Monday, in Culianan, Zamboanga City, I felt overjoyed again as Badjao and Tausug seaweed and Christian farmers gathered under one roof to listen to what President Rody Duterte has in store for them.
For over one hour, I talked and listened to them and for every solution I provided to their simple problems, I heard laughter, saw eyes twinkling with happiness and even tears of joy.
Some asked for farm to market roads which were considered approved but would still have to be validated.
Others asked for small irrigation projects and even water pumps, all of which were immediately approved, of course with proper verification and validation.
Perhaps, the most dramatic part was when the Badjao and Tausug seaweed farmers received 50 fiberglass paddle boats needed in their seaweed farming.
As each of them received their certificates of ownership, I saw happiness.
Most of them said it was the first time, they received such help from government.
At the end of the consultation, I announced that 100 Badjao fishermen will be drafted as Bantay Laut of Zamboanga City to guard against illegal fishing, including smuggling of agricultural commodities.
Now, you want to know what keeps me going?
The smile, the laughter, the tears and the happiness of the farmers serve as the vitamins which strengthen my body as I travel thousands of kilometres overland to reach out to them.
(Photos of Zamboanga City Biyaheng Bukid taken by Gian Carlo Luage and John Pagaduan.)
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