[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’200 Panay activists join ‘Manilakbayan’’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO City – Two hundred activists in Panay Island are participating in the first Visayas-wide Manilakbayan, a protest trip to the nation’s capital.
Manilakbayan aims to bring issues from the Visayas, particularly in Western Visayas, to the national consciousness, said Elmer Floro, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Panay.
The 200 Panay activists are meeting militant groups in Manila and join a series of activities from yesterday, Dec. 8, to Dec. 11.
“Our concerns include widespread hunger, justice for victims of super typhoon ‘Yolanda’ and militarization of the countryside because of the Armed Forces’ Oplan Bayanihan,” said Floro.
The 200 activists are affiliated with Bayan-Panay, the human rights alliance Karapatan, Tumandok, Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide – Panay, and Panguma-Aklan, among others.
Among others, activists seek to meet officials of the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Department of Agrarian Reform.
They also seek a meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte.
The activists will demand the following actions:
* removal of soldiers from mountain areas
* speedy release of the Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) to “Yolanda” victims
* land reform
* end to contractualization
* reconsider the phase-out of public utility jeepneys
* removal of dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ remains from the Libingan ng mga Bayani
* release of the second tranche of the calamity fund for teachers affected by “Yolanda.”
According to Reyland Vergara of Karapatan, soldiers still roam the villages of Tubungan, Iloilo; Roxas City and Tapaz, Capiz despite the ceasefire between the government and National Democratic Front of the Philippines – Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army.
“Sa Roxas City kun gab-i naga-roving sila gamit ang salakyan sang Barangay Peace and Action Team kag gaistar sa barangay hall mismo,” said Vergara.
Meanwhile, according to Azucena Chapman, chairperson of Buylog sa Pagbangon Capiz, 15,000 families displaced by “Yolanda” who have yet to receive their ESA.
In Aklan, Mitchel Tagumpay, vice chairperson of Panguma-Aklan, said 19,000 families have no ESA, too.
“Ma-participate kami sa Manilakbayan kay ang amon demand, indi pag i-phase-out ang tanan nga public utility jeepneys. Damo maapektuhan. I-repair lang and kun indi kapasar sa pollution (test), kinahanglan i-overhaul lang. Indi phase-out kundi rehabilitate,” said Edgar Salarda, president of Pinag-isang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide – Panay./PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
