With meager wages and widespread practice of contractual work that pays generally below the mandated wage, paying health insurance thus, takes a backseat as many would strive to meet daily food requirement of the household.
“Kasagaran sa mga mag-uuma, inutang ang yuta, mangutang pa og pestisidyo pati similya. Pero pag ibaligya ila produkto, barato ra. Pag sila na ang mopalit, mahal na kaayo (Most farmers rent their lands, borrow pesiticides and seedlings. But when they sell their product, it’s cheap. When they buy the product, it's expensive),” Arnado said
Davao’s track record is significant as the first smoke-free city among ASEAN nations, in a citation given last year by the Southeast Asian Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA).
“Is government going to subsidize (co-existence), or rather spend it in producing better or safer products? That’s the question. Maybe we can have healthier products with lower price if it subsidizes agriculture that is more sustainable, rather than spending on co-existence. It’s the discussion everyone should have," said TWN scientist Camilo Beltran.
Members of women organization here used dances yesterday to demonstrate their indignation over a string of government policies and announcements of increased welfare premium, calling instead on prosecuting corrupt officials and stopping further privatization of remaining government institutions such as hospitals.