Pubdate: Mon, 11 Apr 2005
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Larry Madarang
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

FARMERS OPPOSE RP TRADE PACT WITH CHINA

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet: Angry farmers threatened to plant marijuana instead
of their regular crops if the Philippine government pushes through with its
bilateral trade agreement with China.

According to a resolution of the Benguet Farmers Federation, Inc., the
bilateral trade agreement will allow the importation of Chinese
vegetables into the Philippines, which would put poor local farmers
out of business.

"If this happens, we might resort to other business in order to
survive, such as planting marijuana and will interpret that the
national government will now not be the legitimate government of the
poor farmers," the resolution said.

The federation and the Benguet Provincial Board through separate
resolutions have opposed the signing and approval of the trade agreement.

Benguet province's economy relies predominantly on agriculture.
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