The Disaster Risk Reduction Network Philippines condemned the violent dispersal of North Cotabato farmers protesting the lack of emergency relief from the government. Three farmers died in the incident, which could have been avoided if security forces had not brought guns. The network calls for investigations and justice for those responsible. It also urges the government to respect farmers' rights to protest and receive assistance, especially given the extensive agricultural and economic damages already caused by the ongoing El Niño drought.

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DRRNetPhils Statement on North Cotabato Dispersal
The Disaster Risk Reduction Network Philippines (DRRNetPhils), a national CSO formation of
community-based DRR practitioners, policy analysts, advocates, and humanitarian actors, condemns
the violent dispersal of North Cotabato farmers who were expressing their right to demand
emergency relief from the government. The death of three farmers could have been avoided had
government security forces observed the protocol of not bringing guns to mass demonstrations.
Thus, we support credible and impartial investigations being undertaken to identify those who are
responsible for the death of the three farmers and those injured and to bring the perpetrators to
justice. We ask that the local government as duty-bearers with responsibilities to promote, protect
and fulfill their constituents’ basic rights, continue to respect farmers’ rights to be provided with
immediate assistance and that civil society organizations (CSOs) be allowed to conduct and
supplement relief operations in the area when necessary. We call on the national government to
ensure that farmers and CSOs will not be subjected to harassment and intimidation by the North
Cotabato police and military troops.
The drought which was forecasted by PAGASA as early as 2014 has already caused P5.32 billion-
worth of damages to the agriculture sector as of February 2016.1
In North Cotabato alone, crop loss
from the dry spell has already hit P989 million while rats destroyed P84.5 million worth of crops. At
least 50,000 hectares of rice and corn farms had been wasted by rising temperatures with more than
25,000 farmers losing their only source of income.2
The 6,000 farmers in North Cotabato who braved
the heat, hunger and possible arrest were a testament to the dire conditions that farming
communities are currently in.
In May 2014, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) has warned the country of the onset of El Niño in June 2014.3
The 2015-2016 El Niño
event turned out to be “comparable and may even surpass the sea surface temperature anomalies
observed during the 1997-1998 El Niño event,” according to PAGASA’s October 8, 2015 El Niño
Advisory.4
This prompted the formation of a Cabinet-level El Niño Task Force and the development
of a comprehensive response plan to address the issue. The national government also sent a
directive for local government units (LGUs) to form their El Niño adaptation and mitigation plans.
Around P19 billion was earmarked for the El Niño programme.
However, there is still much to be done in building the capacity of LGUs to prepare for its effects
considering that several provinces have already declared a state of calamity. These are Cebu,
Guimaras, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, and Maguindanao.
We urge the government and responsible agencies to expedite the provision of aid to these areas
especially those who need it the most. While the government is primarily responsible in the quality
delivery of services to populations affected by disasters, we also acknowledge the humanitarian
sector’s role in responding responsibly to this crisis.
1 http://www.mb.com.ph/el-nino-causes-p5-b-losses-to-agriculture/
2 http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/774771/drought-losses-reach-p1b-in-north-cotabato#ixzz451Z4NImh
3 https://pubfiles.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/climps/weathersit/press_statement_elninowatch2014.pdf
4 https://web.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/images/8_ELNinoAdvisory_wordings.pdf

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We also call on CSOs, the academe, media, private sector and funding agencies to work together
with the affected communities, their respective local government units and responsible agencies in
extending their support in providing relief, increasing public awareness, and making sure that aid
reaches those who should rightly receive it especially during this election period.
We believe that the Election Ban should not be used as an excuse for inaction and should have been
amended already before the election period has begun.5
We call on the Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) to issue an exemption on the use of LGUs’ Quick Response Fund (QRF) in areas that have
declared themselves under a state of calamity due to the effects of El Niño.
Emergency response is only one among the many actions that we need to take. Planning for
recovery and rehabilitation of the drought-affected areas and preparation for communities that
might be affected by La Niña should already be underway. Throughout such processes, local CSOs
and farming communities should be involved in assessing the risks posed by La Niña and identifying
their needs.
These are only short-term solutions, however; what we need to address are the root causes of
vulnerability such as extreme poverty, specially in the rural areas.
The protest in North Cotabato was not only an expression of the right to redress but underscores the
very essence of a democratic society and as enshrined in our Constitution. The 6,000 farmers who
joined the protest only make up a small portion of the 121,490 farmers that the Department of
Agriculture said has been affected by El Niño since last year.6
The drought brought about by El Niño
is only one among the many hazards that the country will have to face. We should also keep in mind
that normally following an El Niño is its sister phenomenon, the La Niña, which usually manifests in
the Philippines as a period of heavier rainfall. We strongly urge all sectors to work together to find
and implement solutions to prevent and mitigate the impacts of natural hazards on our communities
for incidents, such as the North Cotabato dispersal, not to happen again.
Disaster Risk Reduction Network-Philippines (DRRNetPhils) is a national tertiary formation of civil society
organizations (CSOs), communities, practitioners and advocates adhering to the Sendai Framework on Disaster
Risk Reduction. The network has undertaken legislative advocacies in both houses of the Philippine Congress to
support the passage of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 (Republic Act
10121) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, as well as the current sunset review efforts to improve the
law and its IRR. Currently, it sits in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and
continues its work by providing evidence-based input and advocating for the review of RA 10121.
Contact
Maria Fellizar-Cagay
Lead Convenor, Disaster Risk Reduction Network-Philippines
c/o Center for Disaster Preparedness
Blk. 25 Lot 3 J.P. Rizal St., New Capitol Estates I, Quezon City 1126
Tel: (02) 361-2243, 361-2191
Mobile: 0917-542-5004
5 http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1611459492485/south-cotabato-aid-for-el-nino-victims-hits-set-back
6 http://www.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2016/03/18/impacts-el-nino-may-last-longer-oxfam-warns-463279