Militant organizations form rice monitoring group

MANILA, Philippines - Militant groups launched on Wednesday a new organization that would monitor government actions to address the present rice problem in the country. Radio dzBB reported that the new alliance will hold its first "protest action" on Monday next week, to dramatize the plight of poor families amid the crisis. Dubbed "Bantay Bigas," the group will also oppose moves to privatize the National Food Authority (NFA). The new rice watchdog is composed of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), farmers' group Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), NFA Employees Association, militant think tank IBON Foundation and fishermen's group Pamalakaya. The group would focus its efforts against hoarding and profiteering, while closely an eye on the P48-billion fund for agriculture and opposing the government rice importation policy. For their part, the 2,500 members of the NFA employees' association said they do not want to end up jobless in the event that the NFA is privatized. The group also said it will hold its "Lugaw Day" activity on April 28 to show that there is nothing for poor families to eat these times. According to them, there is nothing to eat now because of rising costs of food and basic commodities. - GMANews.TV