North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza was angered by politicians who offered help for Kidapawan farmers. She refused rice donations for drought-stricken farmers who were involved in an unfortunate incident last Friday, April 1, 2016.
During a press conference held over the weekend, the governor expressed her anger as she received reports that several politicians offered help for the farmers by donating sacks of rice.
In a viral video, Gov. Emmylou Mendoza said that she knew the needs of her constituents and he doesn’t want the politicians to use the farmers to advance their political ambitions.
“Bigla kayong darating, magbibigay ng bigas? Nang-i-insulto ba kayo o namumulitiko kayo?” she asked.
“Huwag niyong gawing staging ground ang North Cotabato para sa propagandas para maghingi kayo ng tulong sa international community at magkapera kayo,” she said.
Gov. Mendoza also believes that donating rice is a big insult to her leadership. She warned that she will not accept any donations from any politician. One of the politicians who offered help is the Davao City Mayor and presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte.
Last Friday, 3 farmers and dozens were injured after they blocked the national highway of North Cotabato. The farmers protested and asked the government for food aid following the El Niño phenomenon which struck the county in late November.
According to Sun Star, the farmers asked for the 15,000 sacks of rice that Mendoza allegedly promised. This also includes the subsidies allocated to help farmers to cope up with the drought.
The video of Mendoza has already gone viral on the social media sites. A lot of netizens criticized her for her decision to block donations intended for the farmers.
Watch the video below.
https://www.facebook.com/880437658678031/videos/970768826311580/