Federation of Free Farmers (FFF)

• Description. The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) is currently one of the largest and most effective non-governmental organizations of rural workers in the Philippines. It was organized in 1953 by a group of Catholic laymen soon after the break-up of the Communist-led revolutionary movement in the country during the term of President Ramon Magsaysay. Today, it has branches and footholds in some 50 provinces. Memberships, consisting of agricultural tenants, owner-cultivators, agricultural laborers, fishermen and settlers, total around 200,000.
• Goals. The FFF has unceasingly pushed for an agrarian reform and rural development program that would give land ownership to actual tillers and provide them decent living from the fruits of their labor. The FFF has also worked for the meaningful participation of rural workers through their mass organizations in government decision-making and implementation.
• Political Involvement. The FFF cooperated with the government in setting up liaison offices for the articulation of farmers' grievances, problems, and aspirations. It also organized barrio seminars and mass graduations cum rallies where public officials can explain government programs and act on farmers' request. In the rural areas, the FFF continues to be a watchdog in the implementation of laws; it promotes contact and understanding between members and government agencies and officials; and it generates ideas for better legislation and government programs from the peasantry.
• Legislative Involvement. The FFF was responsible for considerable portions of various agrarian legislative enactments since R.A. 1199 (Agricultural Tenancy Act of 1954), up to the last amendment to the code of Agrarian Reforms, enacted in 1971. The FFF also inspired several Constitutional provisions and government measures on socio-economic reforms.
• Administration. The current president of FFF is Leonardo Q. Montemayor.
• Location. FFF is located at 41 Highland Drive, Blue Ridge, 1109 Quezon City, Philippines.
• Contact Number. (632) 647 1093
• E-mail. freefarm@freefarm.org
• Website. www.freefarm.org

Source:

The Federation of Free Farmers website at http://www.freefarm.org/aboutus.html.