Natanggal na Manggawang Bikolano Nagpiket sa DOLE

Nagpiket ang natanggal na mga manggagawa sa harap ng opisina ng DOLE sa Legazpi City nitong Abril 28.

Sa Bikol, nakapagtala ang DOLE ng mga kaso ng pagsasara ng mga pagawaan at tanggalan ng mga manggagawa dulot ng krisis sa pinansya. Nitong Enero 2009, kabilang sa walong naitala ang:

1. Yinlu Bicol Mining Corporation Paracale, Cam. Norte (40 manggagawa)

2. GSG Industries Arimbay, Legaspi City (18 manggagawa)

3. Southern Luzon Telephone Co. Oas at Polangui Albay (5 manggagawa)

4. Artnature Tiwi, Albay (27 manggagawa)

5. Pacific Non-Metallic Inc. Masbate City (17 manggagawa)

6. Consolidated Arrastre Inc. (47 manggagawa)

7. Pacific Cordage Corporation Lidong, Legaspi City (166 manggagawa)

8. Jun Bar Marine Products Inc. Naga City (18 manggagawa)

http://banbalikatan.deviantart.com/art/bareta-120639195

Tagumpay ang Transport Strike sa Bikol
85% ng mga pampublikong sasakyan lumahok
Reference: Joel Ascutia – President, CONDOR-PISTON (0915.3199469)

Lumahok ang 85% ng sektor ng transportasyon sa Regional transport Strike ngayong araw. Pinangunahan ng CONDOR-PISTON ang malawakang transport strike sa Bikol. Paralisado ang pampublikong transportasyon sa prubinsya ng Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte at bahaging Rinconada (Iriga, Nabua,Baao, Bula, Bato, Buhi) sa Camarines Sur.

Hinaing ng mga driver at maliliit na transport operators ang ipinapataw ng DOTC at LTO na dagdag na mga bayarin at multa upang “disiplinahin” umano ang sektor ng transportasyon.

Bitbit ng mga tsuper ang pagtaas ng singil ng LTO sa mga bayarin sa lisensya ng mga drayber at multa sa mga traffic violations (mula 200% hanggang 1200% ang itinaas kung ibabatay sa 1992 LTO rates).May nakasampang petisyon ang CONDOR-PISTON para ibasura ang sumusunod:

• Revised Schedule of Fees & Charges on Driver's License and Conductor's (DOTC Department Order #2008-38)
• Revised Schedule of LTO Fines and Penalties for Traffic Violations (DOTC Department Order #2008-39)


Ayon sa Regional President ng CONDOR-PISTON na si Joel Ascutia, ang pera na dapat sana’y napupunta sa mga hapag-kainan ng pamilya ay legal na nanakawin at pagpapasasaan ng mga tiwali sa gubyerno.

Dobleng kalbaryo para sa sektor ng transportasyon ang palagian nang serye ng oil price hike, mataas na presyo ng imported na mga spareparts at iba pang maintainance ng sasakyan, na mas pinasahol pa ng Value-Added Tax (VAT) sa petrolyo at patung-patong na pasakit na mga buwis, ayon pa kay Ascutia.


CONDOR Update mula sa mga lokal na lider

Motor-Legazpi (Albay) --Umabot sa 99% ang mga jeepney drivers at operators ang nagtigil pasada; 95% ng mga tricycle drivers; 80-85% ng mga byahe ng bus at van na palabas at papasok sa prubinsya ang nakiisa sa transport strike mula kaninang alas-6:00 ng umaga. (Romy Barbudo)

CONDOR-Guinobatan (Albay)--Paralisado ang byahe ng mga jeepney at tricycle sa mga bayan ng Guinobatan, Polangui, Ligao at Oas sa ikatlong distrito ng Albay. Nagtipon ang mga driver sa intersection ng Guinobatan, Albay kung saan naka-pwesto ang CONDOR Mass Action Center. Pinapaliwanagan at hinihikayat ng mga myembro ng CONDOR ang mangilan-ngilan pang tricycle drivers na dumadaan. (Noy Rodriguez)

CONDOR-Camarines Norte -- Nagtigil pasada ang 75% ng mga drivers at operators ng jeepney at tricycle sa Daet, at paralisado din ang transportasyon sa iba pang mga bayan. Di nagbyahe ang Lahat na bus at van (long distance route). Wala ring byahe ang lahat ng ruta ng jeepney sa interior barangays dito. (Tony Salvador)

PORTA-Sorsogon -- Umabot sa 80% ng mga bus drivers at operators na nagtigil pasada sa Sorsogon. Sa Sorsogon City, Lumahok din ang ilang organisasyon ng mga jeepney at tricycle drivers. (Eduardo Ferreras)

CONDOR-Rinconada (Camarines Sur) -- Umabot sa 80% ng transport sektor sa mga bayan ng Iriga, Nabua, Baao, Bula, Bato at Buhi ang nakiisa sa transport strike. Nakapwesto din ang CONDOR Mass Action Center ng mga drayber sa Plaza Quince Martires sa Naga City na naghihikayat ng suporta sa isinasagawang transport strike. (Ken Serrano)

Abrogate VFA and Condemn the Acquittal of Daniel Smith

Abrogate VFA and Condemn the Acquittal of Daniel Smith

Reference: Ivy Rivero, Gabriela Youth Coordinator, Bicol (09052613930)

There is still hope amidst hopelessness.

With Court of Appeals reversing the Makati RTC ruling and acquitting Lance Corporal Daniel Smith last 23 April for lack of evidence manifesting the indication of force, threat and intimidation on Nicole, several groups expressed their adamant condemnation on the latter by conducting a protest action in front of the compound of the appellate court this morning and another at the US embassy this afternoon.

Such demonstration is a clear manifestation of the people’s grave disappointment and disapproval on the verdict of the justice system of the Philippine government on the issue and the upshots of the lopsided orders posed by the VFA. Likewise, the acquittal depicts that the Philippines-US ties will always supersede over national sovereignty and public interest. These flawed acts and defective methods are a big letdown to the national patrimony and integrity. They are strictly unforgivable and intolerable.

As long as the US-RP VFA is still on the run, legitimate justice and fairness is out of reach. Furthermore, the American troops will always have diversionary tactics to flee from their criminal liabilities.

There is an apparent and imminent need to reiterate and reaffirm the country’s principles regarding the resumption of the people’s sovereignty and dignity that we are fundamentally endowed with. To tolerate these continued unequal treatments and malicious schemes will further put the lives of the Filipino women at stake and incessantly undermine the value of justice and fairness. In due course, if these unrelenting semblances of injustice and disregard of women’s rights will not be dealt with accordingly, the country will take its toll and succumb in the hands of US.

We call upon the people to support this drive in firmly denouncing the VFA and Philippine Justice System. If we want to achieve justice and equality, we need to seriously act on these intricate matters. We do NOT need VFA and more importantly, we do NOT need US intervention. We have the people and one another to sustain and alleviate the nation from this mess that we are in. Amidst adversities and these legal and constitutional battles, there is still hope for the Philippines if we will unite and grasp firmly the lessons of the past by upholding the national sovereignty and the national interest together, resolutely and steadfastly.

Denounce Smith’s Acquittal!

US troops, VFA drive them out now!

SUMABA KA holds Junk VFA Forum

SUMABA KA (Sorsogon United Movement for Peace Against Balikatan) would like to invite you to a Junk VFA Forum on the 25^th of April at the Matthew’s Hall of the Fatima Church, Sorsogon City. The forum will start at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 a.m.).

The forum will be attended by lawyers, law students, professionals, teachers, government employees, local government officials, people from the church, academe, and other sectors of society.

The forum aims to provide necessary information to the public, so that they will be acquainted with the burning issues of the day. We are in the midst of a raging debate over the presence of US troops in the province under the US-RP Balikatan war exercises and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

Makipagtalakayan sa CONDOR-PISTON

IMBITASYON SA MEDIA

Reference: Joel Ascutia – President, CONDOR-PISTON (0915.3199469)

Iniimbitahan namin kayo bukas (Abril 24) sa "URULAY-ULAY MANUNGOD SA SEKTOR KAN TRANSPORTASYON" (USAPAN TUNGKOL SA SEKTOR NG TRANSPORTASYON),
alas 9 ng umaga sa CNY Fastfood sa Satelitte Bus Terminal sa Legazpi City.

Bakit laging tumataas ang presyo ng langis?

Ang pana-panahong akyat-baba ng presyo ay bahagya at bunga ng ispekulasyon. Tumataas ang presyo ng langis sa pandaigdigang pamilihan dahil sa tumitinding desperasyon ng kapitalista upang palakihin ang tubo sa pamamagitan ng ispekulasyon.

Hindi mga artipisyal na pagbabago sa suplay at demand ang nagbubunsod sa pagbabago ng presyo ng langis ---- ang mga ito ay nililikha lamang ng mas mapagpasyang kapangyarihan sa industriya ng langis, ang imperyalistang US.

Ang US ang pangunahing imperyalistang bansa na kumukontrol sa pandaigdigang industriya ng langis.

Ang nagdidikta ng saligang presyo ng krudong langis sa pandaigdigang pamilihan ay ang kartel ng mga dambuhalang transnasyunal na mga korporasyon. Habang kontrolado nito ang eksplorasyon, repinerya at distribusyon ng produktong petrolyo, tiyak na hindi mahihinto ang pagtaas ng presyo nito.

Bakit tinututulan ng CONDOR-PISTON ang US-RP Balikatan military exercises?

Ang US-RP Balikatan military exercises ang instrumento ng imperyalistang US upang mapanatili ang geopolitical na mga interes nito sa Asia-Pacific region. Sa taunang Balikatan exercises sa bansa, patuloy na nakakapagmantini dito ng presensya ng tropang US kahit wala nang base militar.

Nakasaad sa 1995 East Asia Strategy Report ng US Department of Defense: ang presensya ng pwersang militar ng US sa Asya ay mahigpit na nakaugnay sa pang-ekonomya at iba pang interes ng US sa bahagi ito ng daigdig, ang forward deployment ng tropang US ay absolutong rekisito upang maprotektahan ang mga kontrolado nitong “market” at mga interes nito.

Ang Balikatan military exercises ay instrumento ng imperyalismo upang higit pang dambungin ang yaman ng mga bansa, kabilang na ang Pilipinas. Ito ang nagtitiyak na tuluy-tuloy na nasa kontrol ng US ang global market.

Ang Balikatan military exercises ay panlulupig sa soberanya ng bansa. Ang malakihang pagpasok ng tropang Kano sa bansa ay panghihimasok sa kasarinlan at integridad ng Pilipinas.

Imperyalismong US, Kaaway ng Mamamayan

Pandarambong sa Ekonomya, Tutulan

Panlulupig sa Soberanya ng Bansa, Labanan

US Troops Out Now!

Makabayang Drayber At Operator

Makabayang Drayber At Operator

Magkaisa, Isulong ang Welga!
Reference: Joel Ascutia – President, CONDOR-PISTON (0915.3199469)

SA PAGPASOK NG 2009, ramdam na ramdam ng mga Bikolanong drayber at maliit na transport operator ang krisis. Matinding hagupit sa kabuhayan ang matinding krisis pang-ekonomya, na pinakamatindi sa kasaysayan. Kapos na kapos ang arawang kita ng mga tsuper sa gitna ng nagtataasang presyo ng mga bilihin. Malayong-malayo ang agwat ng kita sa istandard na mahigit P600 na dapat kinikita ng isang pamilya (na may anim na myembro) para matugunan ang mga batayang pangangailangan.

Dagdag na pasanin ang pagpataw ng DOTC at LTO ng dagdag na mga bayarin at multa upang “disiplinahin” umano ang sektor ng transportasyon. Ang pera na dapat sana’y napupunta sa mga hapag-kainan ng pamilya ay legal na nanakawin at pagpapasasaan ng mga tiwali sa gubyerno.

Dobleng kalbaryo para sa sektor ng transportasyon ang palagian nang serye ng oil price hike, mataas na presyo ng imported na mga spareparts at iba pang maintainance ng sasakyan, na mas pinasahol pa ng Value-Added Tax (VAT) sa petrolyo at patung-patong na pasakit na mga buwis.

Limang beses nang tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo mula noong Pebrero

Sa deregulasyon ng industriya ng langis sa bansa, tuluyan nang napasakamay ng mga kartel ang kontrol sa presyo ng petrolyo. Ipinaubaya na ng gubyerno sa mga kapitalista ang industriya ng langis. Ang deregulasyon ang nagbigay-laya sa Big 3 (Caltex, Petron at Shell) na magtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo at magkamal ng dambuhalang tubo. Hindi mapipigilan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis hangga’t idinidikta ito ng pagka-gahaman ng mga korporasyong transnasyunal.

Ang pagtaas sa presyo ng petrolyo ay hindi lamang isyu ng mga drayber at operator ng mga sasakyan kundi isyu ng buong sambayanan, na tuwirang maaapektuhan sa iniluluwal nitong pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing gastusin at bilihin, pamasahe, kuryente, tubig, pagkain, upa sa bahay, damit, matrikula, gamot at iba pang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan.

Dagdag na kastigo ng LTO sa mga tsuper ang dagdag na mga bayarin at multa

Latigo sa naghihikahos nang mga tsuper ang pagtaas ng singil ng LTO sa mga bayarin sa lisensya ng mga drayber at multa sa mga traffic violations (mula 200% hanggang 1200% ang itinaas kung ibabatay sa 1992 LTO rates).

· Revised Schedule of Fees & Charges on Driver's License and Conductor's (DOTC Department Order #2008-38)

· Revised Schedule of LTO Fines and Penalties for Traffic Violations (DOTC Department Order #2008-39)

Dagdag na Pasakit ang EVAT at patung-patong na mga buwis

Patung-patong ang mga buwis na pinapasan ng mamamayan subalit hindi naman ito naibabalik sa serbisyong panlipunan. Sa dikta ng imperyalistang US, ipinatutupad ng gubyerno ang sistema ng pagbubuwis at mga patakarang pang-ekonomyang lalong nagpapahirap sa mamamayan. Patuloy na tinatapyasan ang badyet para sa kalusugan, pabahay at edukasyon habang talamak ang korapsyon at patuloy na nagpapasasa sa kabang-yaman ang pamilya at mga alipures ni GMA.

• VAT sa Petrolyo

Karaniwang mamamayan ang pumapasan ng buwis sa petrolyo at mga produkto. Lalo nitong kinikitil ang buhay ng mga naghihikahos. Kung tatanggalin ng gubyerno ang VAT sa petrolyo, agad na bababa ang presyo nito ng 12 porsyento. Tinatayang bababa ng P4 kada litro ang presyo ng petrolyo at P60 per 11-kg sa presyo ng LPG, at makakagaan sa mga industriyang pinapatakbo ng langis.

• Pabigat na buwis sa sektor ng transportasyon.

Tumaas ng 2,600% ang Common Carrier Tax (CCT o BIR Regulations #9-2007). Ito ang sinisingil na buwis sa buwanang income ng operator. Obligado silang bayaran ang CCT pagkat di mare-rehistro ang kanilang mga sasakayan kapag walang BIR receipt. Buwis umano ito para sa pagmantini ng mga kalsada, na napupunta lamang sa bulsa ng mga korap sa gubyerno.

• Mataas na presyo ng spare parts sa sasakyan

Patung-patong na buwis ang ipinapataw sa imported na mga spare parts at sasakyan, na kalakha’y gawa sa US at iba pang kapitalistang bansa.

DOTC Department Order #2008-39 at #2008-38, Ibasura!

BIR regulations #9-2007 o Common Carrier Tax (CCT), Ibasura!

No to Oil Price Hike!

Oil Deregulation Law, Ibasura!

CONDOR-PISTON (Concerned Drivers and Operators for Reforms, Inc.)

Abril 23, 2009

Youth Condemn State Violence during GMA visit in Naga City

Youth, students condemn state violence
Kabataang Pinoy – Bikol to file charges
Reference: Joseph Adrian V. Concepcion, CEGP-Bikol Spokesperson (0919.2232447)

Outraged over the incident last Monday when a couple of student activists were harassed and illegally detained by the local police, progressive youth organizations protested in front of the Philippine National Police Naga City Headquarters at noon today.

Members from the regional formations of Kabataang Pinoy, Youth and Students Opposing Balikatan (Youth STOP Balikatan) and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) as well as sectoral alliances Gabriela Youth, Tindog Atenista and Irayana Cultural Group marched to the said station after a press conference at Residencia, Barlin Street. Each held streamers proclaiming indignation to the ill treatment experienced by CEGP Spokesperson Joseph Adrian Concepcion and Kabataang Pinoy member Angelo de los Reyes.

Kabataang Pinoy – Bikol Regional Coordinator James Gabriel Hernandez slammed the police as perpetrators of state fascism. He added that the incident was a first in their experience of spearheading protest demonstrations.

“The brutal repression of our rights and aggression from the police did not just coincide with Ms. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s arrival. This just proves the violence that the Arroyo administration unflinchingly answers to the valid woes of the youth,” asserted Hernandez.

He furthered that they will file charges against the concerned police officers.

Camarines Sur Coordinator of the same partylist Chow Asis expressed the same sentiment .

“To serve and to protect? As the youth, we belong to the people whom the police has sworn to serve and protect! Ironically, by harassment, they are violating their duties and betraying the public trust,” he declared.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Youth Spokesperson Ivy Rivero pointed out that the police have been relentless, not even sparing women and student protesters from harrassment.

The said groups joined other sectoral organizations last Monday in a demonstration protesting the arrival of Pres. Arroyo for the 2009 PRISAA Nationals. They reiterated that Pres. Arroyo should rather focus her attention to issues regarding the ongoing Balikatan Exercises in the region, incessant oil price hikes, escalating poverty and unemployment rates, and the dismal plight of the Filipino people under the worsening economic crisis.

GMA in Naga City: Violent Dispersals for Protesters

FACING A FASCIST REGIME

(A Call to Fight Against Arroyo’s Repression of Freedom)

Reference: Joseph Adrian V. Concepcion, CEGP-Bikol Spokesperson (0919.2232447)

Empty words can only be sweet if it would be sugarcoated with lies.

Merriment and blissful anticipation has welcomed the 2009 Private Schools Athletic Association National Games at the City of Naga. With the arrival of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the Guest of Honor and Opening Speaker, many took part in celebrating this momentous feat in the field of sports.

While many listened to the typical statements of her supposed Excellency, some have chosen to speak words of truth and righteousness; words that depict grim realities and bitterness she has always denied.

A demonstration condemning the ongoing Balikatan Exercises, Global Financial Crisis, E-VAT, Extra-Judicial Killings cum Human Rights Violations and Massive Lay-offs has called the attention of both authorities and student activists alike. Raising sentiments near Plaza Quince Martires, representatives from Youth and Students Opposing Balikatan (Youth STOP Balikatan), Tindog Atenista, Kabataang Pinoy and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) have united efforts with other sectoral groups in calling the President’s attention on the crucial issues of the status quo.

But sadly, authorities have used their power in repressing these voices through aggression. Joseph Adrian V. Concepcion, CEGP-Bikol Spokesperson and Angelo de los Reyes, both YSB members have been mauled by police enforcers. Their propaganda materials have been forcibly confiscated by those who seek to make them silent. Others also suffered from physical injuries from the harsh beating. But the spirit of valiancy has amplified their aim to safeguard and to struggle for their rights- rights which have been incessantly oppressed and rampantly abused by the present administration. Police officers dragged and illegally detained the two. Clothes have been ripped; wounds have been inflamed but never their ideals.

Tolerating these inhumane incidents to happen will ultimately weaken our resolve to defend justice. We must not let those in power to commence a new age of fear and hypocrisy- hypocrisy led by an unfaithful government running on the tenets of lies and pretensions.

We must not endure the suffering of being silenced. Words coupled by action are our only defense and weapon against this fascist government. Let us always bear in mind the patrimony we have always defended and preserved.

We call on students, campus journalists, youth organizations and the rest of the Bikolano community to condemn this inhumane treatment of advocates advancing truth, freedom and justice.

Words of Joseph and Angelo, and the rest of the youth will continue to resound in our backward society for we will NOT be silenced with fear and threats.

DEFEND OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!

STOP STATE FASCISM!

CEGP-Bikol

Bicol Not A Whorehouse for US Troops

Outraged Bicolana Shouts
Bicol is Not A Whorehouse for US Troops

Reference:

Catherine Ascutia, Spokesperson Bicolana-Gabriela Albay Chapter

Mobile Number: 09273849443

Early morning today, outraged Bicolanas expressed their anti Balikatan sentiments infront of the Alicia Hotel, where US troops are billeted in Legazpi City.

Furious of the encroaching troops’ exploitation and prostitution of women during rest and recreation periods, Bicolana Gabriela massed up before the Alicia Hotel as the US Balikatan forces are once again on their respites.

Bicolana Gabriela exposed the worsening prostitution and sex trafficking during the Balikatan exercises, with militant women members, as well as equally angered communities conveying reports of prostituted women being preyed upon by the unwelcome soldiers.

“We cannot let this pass. Bicol region is not a whorehouse for these US soldiers. We will not let these foreigner-soldiers rob us of our dignity, we will continue to express our basic rights as women, and as patriotic Filipinos,” says Catherine Ascutia, spokesperson of Bicolana-Gabriela Albay chapter.

Balikatan war exercises are being conducted on poverty-stricken communities of the region. This is doubly devastating, as US presence renders Bicolanas vulnerable to exploitation and prostitution. Consequently, prostituted women are being delivered as treats for the US troops in Legazpi City and Sorsogon City hotels where they are staying. Even Balikatan-obliged barangays, particularly in the town of Pioduran in Albay, are now corrupted with an upsurge of prostituted women being provided for the US troops.#