🇵🇭 PIDIGAN • Virginia Tobacco Farming: The Harsh Wealth of Abra

"For sure there is a harsh effect to health and at the opposite side, there is a harsh effect for the livelihood of the people. Indeed a big debate."

Why harsh? Isn't tobacco farming a good source of income for the people? Well, as you read along, I will be discussing some issues related to the tobacco farming industry of Abra. Planting tobacco is one of the major livelihood activities in this Cordillera province and it is interesting to note the struggles faced by the tobacco farmers.

The Scenic Tobacco Fields in Pidigan, Abra

I was in the town of Pidigan in the province of Abra. It was quiet, no noise, no pollution, purely fresh and relaxing. Suddenly, I can smell a familiar odor I used to smell in Ilocos. My instinct was right! It was the tobacco fields as the source of that familiar smell.

I was approaching the tobacco farms of Pidigan planted on a plain situated at the foot of the mountains of Abra and this valley is one of the reasons why there are still a lot of cigarette smokers while Cigarette-manufacturing companies dwell in wealth from this industry.

However, there is nothing to blame in this scenario because this is an industry and it brings cash flow to the province. The tobacco field is a source of income for the people in this part of Abra. They provide raw materials for the cigarette companies to manufacture.

Abra is just one of several provinces that produce Virginia tobacco like Cagayan, Pangasinan, Isabela, La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Ilocos Norte.

At this junction, why I called it harsh?

The Harsh Effect

The harsh effect is focused on health. I believe everyone is aware about that cigarette smoking kills. The government also campaigns and warns the people against cigarette smoking.

Are the tobacco farmers to be blamed? Here, we enter to an open discussion and opinions are all correct. This industry provides food for the people of Abra. Actually, it could be an endless debate between health and livelihood and from these facts, the tobacco fields are the first hand source of cigarette products while the manufacturing companies add some addictive chemicals that are harsh to health.

If the government campaigns for a smoke-free Philippines this would mean the death of the tobacco industry.

Question, can the Philippine government provide another livelihood for the people of Abra and other tobacco-producing provinces when this industry come to an end as a result of anti-smoking campaigns? For sure there is a harsh effect to health and at the opposite side, there is a harsh effect for the livelihood of the people. Indeed a big debate.

The Harsh Reality

I actually salute some tobacco farmers who were able to build good houses and send their children to good universities and really, I know some of them but not all are able to do it.

The existence of the law called RA 7171 which pumped millions of pesos to tobacco-producing towns gave hope to the tobacco farmers of Northern Luzon especially for Abra where economic status is not as vibrant as the other tobacco-producing provinces. For sure, the million of pesos from the tobacco excise tax will benefit the people.

However, is the fund really benefiting the tobacco farmers of Abra or it just goes to the pockets of those who are in authority? Well I am not blaming or accusing anyone, I am just asking a question and I think the farmer themselves can answer this question.

I was able to talk with a tobacco farmer and according to him, his life from the time he started farming tobacco is still the same amidst the presence of RA 7171 that is bringing millions to Abra.

To balance the situation, leaders claim that the fund goes to infrastructure projects like farm to market roads. To end this post, it is a harsh reality that still many of the tobacco farmers of Abra are poor and I am hoping that through this industry, the quality living of the farmers will escalate for better.

Abra has a lot of potentials. Of course, we should not always rely our destiny to the government. But on the side of the farmers, I believe they need a tender loving care from the government.

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