The Philippine-based groups representing farmers, peasant women, workers, agricultural workers, urban poor, government employees association, NGOs and church sector coming from different organizations such as the PUMALAG (Peoples’ Network against Liberalization of Agriculture), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), IBON Foundation and Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) has developed a campaign plan against WTO and FTAs until December 2009. The Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) is supporting this campaign plan.
We strongly believed that the upcoming “WTO mini-Ministerial Meeting” to be held on September 3 to 4 in New Delhi, India is an important event for exploited countries, like the Philippines, to stand up against the imperialist agenda in WTO - particularly its liberalization policies of countries' agricultural sector. In line with this, we will sponsor the following:
*** August 25 to 30 – Collecting endorsement from different organizations in the Philippines and in Asia in support of the “OWINFS Letter to WTO Ministers” that will be submitted in India . This is an on-going effort initiated by KMP and Asian Peasant Coalition (APC).
*** September 1 – “Dialogue with members of the House Committee on Globalization and WTO” led by KMP, AMIHAN (National Federation of Peasant Women Network) and PAMALAKAYA (National Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines ).
*** September 2 – “Round Table Discussion (RTD) on World Trade Organization (WTO) and Free Trade Agreement (FTAs) in Quezon City. This is co-organized by PUMALAG, KMP, and IBON. Mr. Paul Quintos from IBON Foundation will serve as our main speaker.
*** September 4 – multi-stakeholders mobilization led by PUMALAG, KMP, AMIHAN, PAMALAKAYA and UMA (National Union of Agricultural Workers) in front of the Department of Agriculture (DA) national office in Quezon City. We will also seek dialogue with the DA Secretary. Other organization is encouraged to participate in the event.
The Philippine-based groups is keen to join the delegation in India if funds would permit. Other events mapped out leading to the 7th WTO Ministerial Conference to follow later.
For more information, please contact:
Roy Morilla, KMP Public Information Officer (+639-4876866)
Wilfredo Marbella, PUMALAG Convenor (+639-4876866)