Gov’t tobacco agency hit for inaction on farmers’ plight

By Teddy Molina

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – Tobacco growers are up in arms against officials of the National Tobacco Administration (NTA) for their alleged failure to protect the interest and alleviate the plight of the farmers.

In a summit at the provincial capitol yesterday, the farmers called on President Aquino to replace NTA chief Edgardo Zaragoza and deputy administrator Everin Molina.

The farmers scored the officials for not acting on their complaints, particularly on the alleged low price of tobacco leaves.

Provincial board member Jerry Singson scored Zaragoza for allegedly being indifferent to the plight of the tobacco farmers.

This writer tried to get the opinion of the two officials but they could not be reached for comment.

A source, who asked not to be identified, said the floor prices of tobacco are decided in a tripartite conference held every two years.

Farmer leader Dexter Guiang said their group is planning to stop planting tobacco and would shift to other crops.

Guiang said local officials were discouraging them from pursuing their plan.