The Abandoned and No Longer Planted Rice Fields in Barangay Linawan

 

The rice fields in barangay Linawan used to be beautiful, vast, with the strong water supply and fertile soil. It was abundant and beautiful to look at back then. The rice fields in barrangay Linawan truly helped the people living in our barrangay. This also provides entertainment or exercise for the people who have nothing to do on a daily basis. They watch over and take good care of it, making sure that birds and insects can't eat it. It was the livelihood of the people in our Barrangay, providing food for the days to come.

      The rice fields of Barrangay Linawan back then were still being planted and they weren't using much fertilizer yet. People back then were patient in planting because they didn't spend much on fertilizer and the yield of their crops was also good. People back then were really hardworking, unlike now. Perhaps because things are so expensive now, it's not the same as before. Indeed, the course of time has undergone a significant transformation. It is not comparable to the past when the soil was fertile, the water supply was abundant, and the use of fertilizers was minimal.

     In Barangay Linawan today, people can no longer plant rice because they can't get enough water for their crops. The land can't be plowed either because it doesn't rain enough, causing the soil to harden. As a result, people have lost their enthusiasm for planting rice because they lack the strength to do so due to the current weather and the cost of living. People are different now; they are no longer as eager or patient to plant rice as the older generations who would immediately start planting during the planting season.

    Over the past five years, the people of Barrangay Linawan have been unable to plant rice. It's a waste that the new high-tech equipment remains unused due to the lack of water supply. Many farmers have become disheartened and lost their enthusiasm for planting rice. As a result, rice cultivation has ceased, and the farming equipment is simply stored away, unused. This was simply placed in storage and not operated or started, resulting in a malfunction and damage.

    It's truly difficult to restore the abundant harvests and strong water supply. This is due to the changing climate, which is no longer the same as before when it truly rained during the rainy season. Now, the weather is extremely hot, causing the water supply to dwindle. So, those who own the land have resorted to planting banana trees and various vegetables to have a source of food or income. By planting banana trees and a variety of vegetables, they are able to meet their daily needs.

      Planting banana trees and various vegetables is a good idea because they have a source of food, dishes, and income for their daily lives. Their solution to plant banana trees and other crops is good. But for me, they should take action seek help from the government to solve or restore the water supply so they can plant rice again. If they could bring back rice farming, it would be a better solution. That way, the equipment wouldn't go unused and the land, which should be a rice field, could be planted again.

By: Manuel Deligero