Press Release
December 30, 2017

Sen. Kiko Pangilinan remembers Rizal as a farmer

Today, we remember our national hero, a writer, a doctor, and a martyr. Today, I choose to remember Jose Rizal as a farmer who soiled his hands and feet to learn the basics of agriculture, studying how to make the land he bought near Dapitan productive.

During his exile on the land in the coastal barangay of Talisay, he planted rice and corn and vegetables, and raised chickens. He also founded a cooperative that helped other farmers use efficient farming techniques (like use of fertilizer, crop rotation, and use of farm machines), and market their produce.

He knew that science and technology, coupled with working together, can help uplift agricultural workers from ignorance and poverty.

Ka Pepe left the haunting message that genuine independence cannot exist when Filipino farmers are still disrespected and poor. We need to measure development by how abundant their own dining tables are.

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