Our Farmers, Our
Life Partners
Statement for the
5th Farmer's Day Celebration
(15 May 2006)
May
15th is the feast of St. Isidore, a simple farm worker
born in Madrid, Spain and passed his life in work and prayer.
Though poor, St. Isidore shared his food with the hungry--humans
and birds.
Five years ago
the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines declared every
May 15th as Farmers’ Day to remind us of the important
role farmers play in nation building.
This role played
by farmers was recognized by Pope John Paul II when he addressed
agricultural workers: “You are entrusted with the task of making
earth fruitful. A most important task whose urgent need today is
becoming more apparent. The area where you work is usually called
the ‘primary sector’ by economic science. When this sector is
underappreciated or mistreated, the consequences for life, health
and ecological balance are always serious and usually difficult to
remedy” (Address during the Jubilee of Agricultural World,
November 2000).
Consequently, as
we celebrate the 5th Farmers’ Day let us: respect,
defend and promote farmers’ rights; advocate and practice
sustainable agriculture; and safeguard the integrity of God’s
creation.
We call on the:
ª farmers
to improve their farming technology and gradually shift to organic
farming;
ª people
to patronize Filipino products;
ª
lawmakers
to review and amend anti-farmer laws and enact pro-farmer ones;
ª
President
and her Cabinet to improve rural facilities: roads, bridges,
irrigations,
electricity, etc; provide adequate capital and post-harvest
facilities; and help in marketing agricultural products.
On you, our
farmers, we implore God’s blessings and Mary’s protection.
For the CBCP Social Action Network
(sgd.) BISHOP DINUALDO GUTIERREZ, DD
Chair, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Action-Justice & Peace
26 APRIL 2006
