Nothing for private workers

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) held its Labor Day rally at the Cuneta Astrodome with 8,000 members in attendance.

Keynoting the meeting were former Sen. Boy Herrera, TUCP president, former Sen. Bobby Tañada, secretary general Jose “Jun” Umali and FFW president Sonny Matula. Amb. Roy Señeres presented the manifesto signed by 29 members, associations and unions.

Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and FFW marched from the Quezon City Circle to Mendiola where it held its protest rally with 10,000 in attendance.

A common thread of the rallies was the call for more jobs, higher wages, job security, more social protection and more government attention to the welfare of workers.

As usual the issue of labor contracting was raised.

In Malacañang, President Aquino rejected the demand for a P125 across the board wage hike saying it is too costly and employers simply can not afford to pay it. He said it would lead to lay offs and discourage investors. He promised to create more jobs by stimulating and encouraging investments in manufacturing. He announced that DOLE was finalizing a Department Order banning contractualization. He announced more scholarship programs for workers and their children.

He also announced the appointment of 326 more labor inspectors to DOLE.

He announced the last tranche of government workers’ increase will be implemented on June 1st. However, no increases or non-pay benefits for private sector workers was announced to the disappointment of private workers.

At the TUCP rally, Sen. Boy Herrera called for better government programs on job creation, decent work and jobs security.

Among those attending the TUCP affairs were Masami Hirata, labor attache of the Embassy of Japan, Johnny Zhotranni, ExCong. Zoilo dela Cruz, Bobby Flores, Amb. Roy Señeres, Dave Diwa, Jing Mallonga, Jesus Villamor, Joseph Alfaro, Greg del Prado, Cedric Bagtas, ExCong. Alex Villavisa, Terry Tuason, Marilyn Ignacio, Adel Raymundo, Arthur Paragasag, Atty. Rodolfo Capoquiran, Micaela Marvic Sagun, Arturo Basea, Angelita Señorin, Milagros Ogalinda, Susanita Tesiorna, Antonio Magsipoc, Rafael Mapalo, Florencia Cabatingan, Deobel Deocares, and Temistocles Dejon Jr.

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DISAPPOINTING . . The 2 + 2 meeting between DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario, DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin and their US counterparts, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ended with a disappointing statement that the United States will not back up the Philippines in its territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea.

What was given was a routine promise to honor its commitments under the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty if the Philippines came under attack.

 Del Rosario and Gazmin appealed to the US to help the Philippines build at the very least a most minimal credible defense. Assurances were given but no specifies were made.

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SPEED IT UP . . For rice production to increase substantially, 300,000 hectares more of rice lands should be irrigated. Priority should be given to the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Iloilo, Pangasinan and Cagayan.

NEDA after a long wait just approved the P11 billion 2nd phase of the Jalaur river irrigation project in Iloilo.

In some cases, it is a simple matter of repairing irrigation canals.

Irrigators associations must be encouraged to actively participate in the maintenance of their irrigation canals.

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DOWN TREND . . The Latest SWS survey once more reports the down trend of the Aquino government’s satisfaction ratings from +56 in Dec. to +46 in March.

The administration scored lower ratings in 10 out of 19 key national issues including helping the poor and fighting crime.

As we have commented several times previously, the Administration must pump prime more aggressively the Department of Public Works and Department of Agriculture projects to create jobs.

Something more must be done to encourage manufacturing. The private sector must be given more incentives to stimulate more projects and create jobs. Investments in Agriculture must also be prioritized.

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SUCCESSFUL MISSION . . The 14-all women delegation of Congresswomen to China headed by Congw. Gina Vera Perez de Venecia was a big success in terms of promoting friendly relations between the 2 countries.

The delegation visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu where women leaders welcomed them and engaged in friendly dialogue.

The delegation included Representatives Emmaline Aglipay, Mercedes G. Alvarez, Nancy A. Cotamco, Bernadette Herrera Dy, Rachel del Mar, Abigail Faye Ferriol, Daisy A. Fuentes, Janette L. Garin, Ana Cristina Go, Cinchona Cruz Gonzales, Josefina Joson, Sandra Sema and Linabelle Ruth Villarica.

The delegation was a big hit at every dinner as they sang Pipit, Leron-Leron Sinta and other Filipino songs.

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ANOTHER BROADCASTER KILLED . . Bombo Radyo Koronadal broadcaster Rommel Palma was shot dead by two men riding in tandem on a motorbike. Malacañang issued the usual condemnation of the murder and ordered the PNP to investigate.

On the NPA front, 4 more soldiers were killed in an encounter with 40 rebels in Labo, Camarines Norte. A civilian and 3 rebels died in the clash.

Graciano Coriño, 41, and his companion Monica Garcia were shot dead, after attending a fiesta in Marikina while they were about to board their motorcycle. Emiliano Santos, 25, a burger joint service crew was shot on the back in Malabon.

Four men robbed jeepney passengers at Taft Avenue, Manila. A security guard was found dead in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. A businesswoman was shot dead inside his house in QC.

There were 11 cases of robberies of cab drivers in Baguio City for the month of April alone.

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TIDBITS . . . Sen. Migz Zubiri of Bukidnon and Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno of Manila will be sworn in as Members of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

Campaign time, President Aquino distributed yellow baller bands at the DOLE job fair at the World Trade Center.

Cong. Roman Romulo is planning to run for Senator under the Nationalist Unity Party with Cong. Rodolfo Antonino.