2026: Listen, act, pray
To achieve significant agricultural development next year, we should listen, act and pray. Both the government and the private sector should do these. These recommendations are motivated by a description of the first Christmas, which quoted largely from Bishop Fulton Sheen.
“One night, out over the stillness of an evening breeze, out over the white chalk hills of Bethlehem, there came a cry. It was a gentle cry. The sea did not hear the cry, for the sea was filled with its own voice. The earth did not hear the cry, for the earth slept. Only two types of people heard the cry: wise men—those who know they do not know everything and humble shepherds —those who know they know nothing. Today, only two types of people continue to hear the cry—the wise and the humble.”
Government
Today, the cry of Jesus can be likened to the cry of our farmers and fisherfolk for social justice and equity. “The sea did not hear the cry, for the sea was filled in its own voice.”
Certain powerful government officials brag about dubious achievements, not bothering to find out the enormous difficulties in agriculture today. They should instead thoroughly study our situation and move from rhetoric to reality. They should formulate comprehensive action plans, implement them properly and hold accountable those who do not perform.
The flood control projects under severe scrutiny today have none of the above. No master plan, corrupt implementation and no accountability. The “big fish” must be put behind bars. Otherwise, this will be hypocrisy—all noise, no substance.
“The earth did not hear the cry, for the earth slept.” In “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” Jose Rizal wrote about the silence of certain sectors, which enabled corruption and moral decay. It epitomized what Edmund Burke said: “The only thing necessary for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.” Those in government who see corruption firsthand should not sleep and stay silent. They should instead report this and take immediate action.
Private sector
Just like the government, many in the private sector should not be too pleased with themselves. This is when they showcase their achievements in areas where injustice and inequity abound. They should instead use their proven management competence and propose detailed government action plans, including even those beyond their comfort zones.
More importantly, the private sector should take assertive action. Under the current administration, we have seen improvement in this area. Nevertheless, government response is often still found wanting.
When Alyansa Agrikultura asked for a Tariff Commission hearing on the low 15-percent rice tariff, which was destroying farmer livelihoods, especially since the imported rice prices had plummeted from $580 to $350 a ton, the commission refused them twice. Open communication between government and the private sector is key to effective governance.
Two cases
There are two cases where we will see if this listening and acting will happen during the first month of this year.
The first is a documented case written by an agriculture secretary. Two bureau heads showed little concern and compassion by taking 10 months to agree on a solution critical to farmer welfare. The private sector acted by asking for an investigation and the corresponding disciplinary action. The government has so far shown little response.
The second case is when an agency head submitted a press release published by two major details.
It that stated all agricultural machines were properly used and that there was no basis for a private-sector report that asserted the opposite. The private sector responded by presenting an official documented public-private sector study showing that 38 percent of the machines were either unutilized or underutilized.
They also asked for an investigation and the corresponding disciplinary action. It is hoped that a stronger Department of Agriculture will take decisive action this month and not let private sector participation go to waste.
In addition to listening and acting, we must pray for the wisdom and humility that should accompany these activities. We can then have a better and happier new year for agriculture.
