EL TIGRE’S EYES IS WATCHING

It seems that the Universal Leaf Philippines Inc. cannot stand any more the words coming from my mouth.

Wednesday afternoon, the tobacco farmers complaint aired at Pambansang Sumbungan #IpaBITAG were finally addressed.

The tobacco farmers appealed to BITAG and aired their grievances against Universal Leaf Philippines for non-payment of their labor.

According to the farmers, after the grown tobacco were harvested, not a single centavo were paid to them.

They said they did not receive any payment from the company. Even the promised P30k allowance per hectare, were not paid.

They appealed for help, from the Office of the Mayor and other relevant agencies of government, but it all fell in deaf ears.

The only recourse they have is BITAG ang Pambansang Sumbungan.

Immediately, a Team of BItag investigators started working on the plight of the poor farmers from Isabela.

Trained as an investigative journalist, the team, diligently get to the facts from the complainant, the management of Universal Leaf Philippines and the local government unit concerned.

Sad to say, with all the opportunities extended to the management of Universal Leaf Philippines, only an assistant manager answered –unwittingly.

A series of communications were sent to the company to inquire on the plight of the poor complaining farmers – BITAG Pambansang Sumbungan got no answer.

At first #IpaBITAG Mo was referred to the company lawyer, but the legal counsel cannot be find or afraid to be confronted by the farmers.

The tobacco farmers crying for justice and payment for their hard labor, don’t have any recourse, but to go to EL Tigre.

El Tigre cannot accept the explanation of the Universal Leaf Philippines that the harvested tobacco is unprofitable that’s why the farmers were not paid. Worse they even accused the complainants of being ‘ignorant’ of the company’s policy.

I cannot fathom where these people are getting their energy and can stomach for non-payment of the farmers’ labors.

My heart is with the farmers. I took agriculture in my first year in college.

This is the reason, why every day in my TV and radio programs also in my entire digital platform I will continue “pestering’ Universal Leaf Philippines, until they paid the poor farmers.

Until the hundreds of tobacco farmers of Angadanan, Isabela receive what is due them the roar of the El Tigre will continue to haunt the owners of Universal Leaf Philippines.

It’s one thing that the management of the tobacco company acknowledge the unpaid tobacco workers. It’s another to fulfill their promise to pay all the farmers seeking justice.

Until then … the eye of El Tigre is watching.