Official Name | Federation of Free Farmers |
Other Name or Acronym | FFF |
Vision | Total emancipation and development of the Filipino peasantry. |
Mission | To serve as an organization of by and for the Filipino peasantry in attaining their vision of total human as well as national development. |
Year Established | 1953 |
Year Accredited W/ LAIKO | Before 1970 |
History |
The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) was organized in 1953 by a group of Catholic laymen led by Atty. Jeremias U. Montemayor. It pioneered in the popularization and application of Catholic social teachings in the Philippine context. The FFF was instrumental in the passage of laws that aided the peasants in their struggle for justice, which include the Agricultural Tenancy Act (1954), the Agricultural Land Reform Code (1963) and the Code of Agrarian Reforms (1971). The FFF increased its membership and expanded its activities by mid 1960’s. Apart from parliamentary procedures, the FFF pursued the fight for genuine land reform through mass demonstrations and rallies. Following the declaration of martial law in 1972, the Federation reoriented its activities, which resulted to a dramatic upsurge in economic activities through the organization of cooperatives. Still, throughout the martial law period, the Federation remained consistent in its role of upholding peasants’ rights and interests, especially in the area of agrarian, urban, forest and foreshore land reforms; cooperative development; and representation of marginalized and underrepresented sectors. Since the mid-1980s, the FFF has adopted a more self-reliant posture by depending principally on internally generated resources instead of relying on external assistance. The FFF and its founder, Jeremias Montemayor, were awarded the Presidential Golden Plow award in l994 and l999, respectively, for their outstanding contributions to land reform and rural development. |
Organizational Structure |
At least 15 farmers should attend the pre-membership seminar and then constitute themselves into a barangay/local chapter. At least three (3) local chapters subsequently form a municipal chapter; at least three of which, in turn, compose a provincial association. Every year, the provincial associations send delegates to the National Convention which elects the members of the National Policy Board (NPB). The NPB then elects the members of the National Executive Office (NEXO), which implements the constitution and board policies on a day-to-day basis. |
Composition of membership | Small farmers, farm workers, landless rural workers, rural women, fisherfolk, upland settlers. |
Main Activities |
|
Areas Present | Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Tarlac, Zambales, Bulacan, Pampanga, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Mindoro Occidental, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Iloilo, Aklan, Negros Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Cebu, Biliran, Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, Davao, Davao Oriental, Davao del Sur, Compostela Valley, Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao. |
Affiliations | International Federation of Agricultural Producers
International Catholic Rural Association Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas –CBCP |
Official Contact Address | 41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, Quezon City |
Official Contact number | Telephone: + 63.2.647.1451
Telefax: + 63.2.647.1093 |
Website | http:/www.freefarm.org |
Email Address | freefarm@mozcom.org ; freefarm@freefarm.org |
Logo | The laurel leaf is the emblem of heroism and triumph, fashion in a cradling position to symbolize its nurturing role in the movement. The carabao is the animal reminiscent of the fields and paddies, the farmers’s workhorse – sturdy, robust and unfaltering like its master. Similarly, the plow is the farmer’s primary tool, symbolizing his hardwork and sweat. The three mountains, representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, stand for the wide foothold of the federation throughout the Philippines. Finally, the crown and the cross, which denote the FFF’s foundation day on the Feast of Christ the King, also evoke how deeply entrenched the movement’s philosophy in the social teachings of the Church. |
Current Officers | LIST OF OFFICERS FOR 2008-2009
National Policy Board Iloilo : Pio C. Basea, Jr. Occidental Mindoro : Leonilo Binalangbang Davao City : Ramon D. Canastre Negros Oriental : Roman Esconde Davao Del Norte: Dioscoro Granada Davao City: Isaias Jandug Zambales: Mariano Abelito Misamis Oriental: Leon Mejares, Sr. Quezon City, National Office: Leonardo Q. Montemayor Quezon City, National Office: Raul Q. Montemayor Bohol: Felipe Pacaldo Davao Del Norte: Aniceto Paler Cotabato North: Martin A. Pan Davao Del Sur: Neofito C. Pormento Occidental Mindoro: Ruben D. Presilda Agusan Del Sur: Fidel S. Samson, Sr. Bukidnon: Glicerio Tan Pangasinan: Mo. Diolindiz Luza, Wcw
National Executive Committee National President: Leonardo Q. Montemayor 1st Vice President: Ruben D. Presilda 2nd Vice President: Pio C. Basea Jr. 3rd Vice President: Primitivo F. Panogadia Secretary General: Dioscoro A. Granada Treasurer: Guadalupe H. Lagumbay Assistant Treasurer: Jean B. Villacote
|