Sonny M. Versoza, News, Communication Management Office
Approximately three thousand (3,000) Lumad marchers and supporters consisting of students, teachers, party list members and other supporters were welcomed by PUP on Saturday, July 23, 2016. The PUP Gymnasium, the school grounds and the classrooms served as their sleeping and dining quarters as they prepared to march to the Batasang Pambansa in support of Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, 2016.
Aside from their plea to stop the killings, the group would like to petition to end tuition fee hike, the implementation of the K-12 education system, and contractualization. They would also express their request for a raise on the national minimum wage to P720 per day, a more favorable land reform, and the attainment of peace through justice.
After hosting the lumad delegation, PUP President Dr. Emanuel de Guzman welcomed members of the Media in a dialogue held at the PUP Gymnasium on Sunday, July 24, 2016. Among the highlights of the dialogue is their expression of their dissent over destructive mining in Mindanao. The 3,000-strong Manilakbayan 2016 delegation was able to present their complaints to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Gina Lopez.
The Lumad insisted that the issue on mining is related to the militarization that happens in their community. “The mining companies would like to take our lands so they attack and harass the natives,” according to Minda Dalinan, one of the natives who are seeking help.
Lopez promised that mining firms which would not pass audit shall be suspended. The natives thanked the Secretary in appreciation of the time she gave for the dialogue.
Manilakbayan spokesperson Bai Ali Indayla expressed their gratitude over the dialogue. The delegation came to Manila in order to express their real situation in time for the President’s SONA.
On the day of the President’s SONA, buses were provided to take the PUP contingency to the Batasang Pambansa to make sure that they show their support to the President, hoping to achieve their requests, and regain the land they claim they possess and their right that was taken from them during the tragic Lumad killings. The Lumad and their supporters, around 3,000 in number, travelled from Caraga region, starting from the 19th of July until they reached Sta. Mesa, Manila on the night of the 23rd. The Lumad’s support overflows for the President and the new administration as they believe in his love for Mindanao and his heart to help his brothers.
A demonstration about the opposition against contractualization of workers was also conducted by party lists and collectives including Gabriela and the League of Filipino Students, hoping to end the labor exploitation that uses contractual workers for five months before replacing them to avoid giving out benefits to their employees. The Lumads are expected to set up their camp in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) after the SONA.
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