Roberto Mangera Vergara

Roberto Vergara was a farmer for 30 years in Lemery Batangas. Planting rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and sugarcane are the main source of income in their area. The land that he worked on was owned by others, that is why he cannot claim all the income, and he is required to give a commission to the owner. Besides farming, another source of income that he has was taking care of animals which greatly helped in adding income.

 

Farming has played a huge role in his life that it brought blessings to him and his family, however, it was not enough to suffice his and his family’s needs especially that all of his three children were already in college that time. That is why Roberto was forced to work abroad, specifically in Brunei, as a marble installer. 

 

Farming for Tatay Roberto was a great risk because of several factors that the farming industry faces. The number one enemy of farmers are weather changes and climate change. Since this kind of natural disaster may come without prior notice, farming becomes hard as farmers have to anticipate weather conditions and always have a back-up plan for their efforts not to go to waste. 

 

Because farming for Tatay Roberto was a great risk, he pleads for the government to provide consistent programs that will directly help farmers as well as give enough attention and recognition on a national level. Farmers work hard enough to produce rice for the country, yet they are not acknowledged enough because of imported goods. 

 

Rice and food in general is what people need the most among anything else. That is why farmers should be treated better by the national government. Tatay Robert wants to have a call for action for the farmers’ pleas that needs to be addressed immediately.