Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
Federation of Agricultural Workers | Philippines
The encampment or Kampuhan of more than 300 Central Luzon peasants in front of the national office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) from March 24 – 28, 2025 was a great success.
DAR officials were forced to make at least some positive concessions to the peasants after initially denying their request for a dialogue on March 24.
These peasants came from Hacienda Luisita and Tinang, in Tarlac; Anunas in Angeles City, Pampanga; and Masinloc, Zambales.
There was also massive support from different sectors and organizations based in Metro Manila and from overseas.
These include the youth and students, trade unions, religious organizations and individuals, teachers, health workers, among others. Support came also from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Hong Kong, and the United States. They provided not only moral and political support but also resources to ensure the success of the kampuhan.
It only showed that it is only through militant struggle and solidarity with other sectors that concessions can be won, although there needs to be more struggles to be done in ensuring that the rights and welfare of the peasants are upheld.
It has never been more urgent for the peasantry to assert their right to land, intensify the struggle for food sovereignty, and seize control of the domestic resources necessary for national industrialization.
As Trump threatens the country with raised tariffs amid war-mongering in the Asia-Pacific region, being self-reliant is a key strategy for wresting the Philippines free from the import-dependent, export-oriented economy the US and its allies among the landlords, compradors, and bureaucrats have long maintained.###