,---om-=1 -=-·=-·===~--·- ---···-·--..---,~.~===== ~===~=·=·-=·~--- -~=·~·=====·==="~~~~=-~~~-~.,~~-·~~-~~ --· ---~---·-· -----~~~~ Stated otherwise, Figure 1 shows the business relationships that comprise the system and illustrates what each of the companies do, or not do. The core of the system is with the companies that produce agricultural commodities. They supply the inputs such as feeds, seeds, fertilizer and credit to farmers and ranchers, who in turn run the farms. Commodity processors buy from the producers, selling their goods to food manufacturers and distributors. The food retailers serve as their final link to the consumers. However, we concentrate our present efforts to inquire about the human rights situation in the agriculture sector as defined in the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (Republic Act No. 8435, Section 4) to be the "sector engaged in the cultivation of the soil, planting of crops, growing of fruit trees, raising of livestock, poultry, or fish, including the harvesting and marketing of such farm products, and other farm activities and practices." We focus our efforts as such because the agriculture sector has consistently comprised most of the poor Filipinos. They are among those who are left behind by development and thus considered marginalized. The fisherfolks and farmers have registered the highest poverty incidence7 in 2012, which are at 39.2% and 38.3% respectively. 8 In addition, Table 1 9 illustrates that the agriculture sector has the lowest average daily basic pay of wage from 2013 to 2015: 2013 2014 2015 Php170.34 Php185.31 Php194.38 • Agriculture, hunting, and forestry Php169.22 Php184.53 Php192.99 • Fishing and aquaculture Php189.48 Php199.32 Php218.48 Industry Php337.11 Php343.66 Php355.09 Services Php403.00 Php422.15 Php432.15 MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUP Agriculture 7 8 9 Poverty incidence among Filipinos is the proportion of people below the poverty line to the total population. In 2012, the monthly poverty threshold (minimum income of a family of five in order to be considered "not poor") is an average of Php8,022, and be able to cover a single family's basic food and non-food needs. (Source: http://www.gov.ph/report/poverty-incidence/) (accessed August 17, 2016) In 2015, the poverty threshold is Php6,365 for a family's basic food needs and Php9,140 to meet both basic food and non-food needs. (Source: https://psa.gov.phlcontent/poverty-incidence-among-filipinos-registered-263-first-semester-2015-psa) (accessed: August 17, 2016) Philippine Statistics Authority (July 4, 2014) Fishermen, farmers and children remain the poorest basic sectors. https:/Ipsa. gov. ph/content/fishermen-farmers-and-children-remain-poorest-basic-sectors-0 (accessed August 15, 2016) Presentation of Mr. Nheden Amiel Same of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) during the focus group discussion on human rights and agribusiness held at the Commission on Human Rights on August 17, 2016 3