Harvest Hurdles

[Instrumental Intro] [Verse 1] In the fields of Pangasinan, under the Philippine sun, Lies the sweat and toil of men, in the dirt, we're one. Lauro's voice, a whisper, in the wind it does unfold, "Haan nak agtalonen," he says, his story untold. [Verse 2] Finance talks of lowering, the tariff rate to 17.5, To bring down prices, but the farmer's plight won't subside. "Kanayon kami laengen," the echo in the air, Farmers neglected, in their struggle, they declare. [Pre-Chorus] With every seed we sow, a gamble we do face, In the hands of fate, in this rice-rich place. [Chorus] But the tariff cut, on imported rice, A gamble local farmers won't take, no dice. In the balance, they seek, a fair price for their yield, Against the tide of economics, they strive and they fight. [Verse 3] Marcos Jr.'s E.O. 50, a hope that dimmed, For the 35 percent tariff, was a lifeline not to come. In the fields, they stand firm, with the FFF's plea, "Do not depress our palay prices," they implore, so we'll see. [Verse 4] In the market, the clash, of the local and the foreign, The farmer's harvest, at a price, so lean and forlorn. "Government can buy, rice locally, and import if must," To the KADIWA outlets, to those in need, it could. [Pre-Chorus] With every seed we sow, a gamble we do face, In the hands of fate, in this rice-rich place. [Chorus] But the tariff cut, on imported rice, A gamble local farmers won't take, no dice. In the balance, they seek, a fair price for their yield, Against the tide of economics, they strive and they fight. [Bridge] Recto speaks of balance, between consumers and farmers' fate, But the scales tip heavy, with rice inflation's debate. A P4 to P5 reduction, in rice's price, they claim, But at what cost, to the farmer, holding his grain? [Instrumental Solo - harmonica, banjo] [Chorus] But the tariff cut, on imported rice, A gamble local farmers won't take, no dice. In the balance, they seek, a fair price for their yield, Against the tide of economics, they strive and they fight. [Outro] So here's to the farmers, in Pangasinan's land, May their voices be heard, in this tale of sand. "Haan nak agtalonen," but not without a fight, For the harvest's worth, in the Philippine light. [Instrumental Outro] [End]