While our health wor­kers are our recognized front-liners in addres­sing COVID-19, farmers and fisherfolk are also front-liners. This is because they produce the food we need to survive. With healthy food, our immune systems become stronger. This prevents the coronavirus from causing a more widespread impact, which will burden further our limited health workers and facilities. To address the perceived inadequate attention to this sector, 10 national farmer organizations sent a letter with key recommendations to the Cabinet-level Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases. It is called the Bayanihan sa Agrikultura Laban sa COVID-19, coordinated by Maria Fatima Villena (0977-3561743).

Ordoñez, E. M. (2020, March 28). Farmers, fisherfolk also COVID-19 front-liners. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A11.