The “peasant class” make up a striking 75% of Philippine society–a majority of whom are landless farmers that till the earth in order to provide for themselves and the rest of the country. Despite being the majority, they are often the least considered by the ruling puppet government. They are forced to rent the land for exorbitant prices and are only offered minimal loans that dig them further into debt. Landlords have no regard for the tillers of the land–they are only concerned with profit and plunder even at the expense of the Philippine people.
The corrupt government behind the ghost flood control projects is the same corrupt government that perpetuates the exploitation of our farmers in the countryside. Under this system of bureaucrat capitalism, the governing class continuously favors the landlords, compradors, and imperialists rather than the masses. They view the Philippines as a pawn–a means of production and consumerism–rather than a country of people. They squeeze as much profit from the tillers as they can while hoarding the fruits of the farmers’ labor.
Only true agrarian reform can break this cycle. Returning the land to the tillers, allowing them to reap the rewards of the land and use it to serve all of Philippine society, will bring the Philippines one step closer to becoming a truly sovereign nation.
2025, acrylic paint and oil pastel on canvas, 30″x40″
Asher Perez 