#RescuePH or
why the class struggle is alive and kicking by Sarah Raymundo
The current state of calamity caused by floods from southwest monsoon
rains has matched if not surpassed that of the tropical storm Ondoy in
2009. It has affected at least one million people, killed 19 as of
Wednesday morning, left major cities and at least five provinces in Luzon
severely inundated. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo
claims an improved preparedness and prevention for calamities such as
floods. However, images of massive flooding in news reports and other
media tell us otherwise.
DILG vs KMU
Robredo on Wednesday morning stressed that “the government is doing its
part with regard to disaster readiness. The public should do their part,
too. The first half of the work is always with the government, and the
other half is with the citizens…What we are trying to say to the public is
that, ‘Hey, this is what we are doing. Tumulong naman kayo. [do your share
at the very least]” Meanwhile, rescue and relief operations speak of
another truth.
Beginning Tuesday, a disaster was in full swing as continuous torrential
rains impacted on the lives of poor people living in towns and cities of
Luzon. Homes were buried by landslides or swept by floodwaters.
Overflowing dams continued to release water. Poor people were forced out
of their houses to evacuation centers. Worse, some people died of
electrocution and drowning.
But, too, beginning Tuesday, Kilusang Mayo Uno (May One Movement),
together with other labor advocates created Task Force Obrero, a relief
mission for workers and their families. Its poster states that the sectors
“most affected by the incessant rains, flooding and other calamities are
the communities of workers and urban poor.”
What do natural calamities tell us about the present? What is missing in
the explosion of the discourses on disaster management and preparedness,
which include rescue and relief operations in times like this?
Context: Risks of Post-Politics
Bill Clinton’s Happy 90s marked the era of neoliberalism, the end of the
struggle for economic redistribution and the disappearance of the
proletariat and its universal class interest into thin air. For a while,
the world was pacified by the trickle down campaign that was bound to come
true with the worldwide ratification of the WTO’s GATT (now GATS). For a
little bit, religious revivalism held sway in terms of mobilizing people
around collective endeavours. For a time, people believed that our biggest
problem was the all too general yet all too specific problem of risk:
First, it tells us that we must alter our notions of human agency and
social organization. That there is no such thing as a system which we can
blame for what and how we are and so we must take full responsibility for
what we have become indicates symbolic deficiency. We are not supposed to
identify the existence of an entity to which we can connect all of our
combined disappointment and disenchantment with life.
Second, it instructs us to recognize the probability of an ecological
catastrophe based on nebulous accounts of its causes and possible
solutions. It is precisely the manufacturing of uncertainty that makes
this catastrophe imminently real. Supposedly a universal feature of
contemporary life, manufactured uncertainty conceals the socio-economic
bases of so-called risks. We are told that if big corporations do things
(earn profits) whose consequences are beyond their control (environmental
hazards), so do ordinary people like us. Therefore, we are equally
responsible for the risky effects of our choices. The invisible hand of
the market gets off the hook. People are to be blamed for the disasters
that kill them. Big corporations are supposed to be valued for their CSRs
(corporate social responsibility--perhaps the only act of contrition that
guarantees more profit).
And that is the condition which the high priests of
post-politics/postmodernism call the end of ideology? The pragmatist, the
one who is supposedly free from ideology, one whose popular appeals
capture the attention of a broad audience is the eclectic whose expertise
lies in gathering a diversity of views under a common cause that is not
supposed to halt the accumulation of profit as we speak. Allegedly, only
an ideology(dirt)-free advocacy can push effectively for people’s concrete
needs and demands.
This eclectic expert, like any traditional politician trained in the
corrupt imperialist ways of the International Monetary Fund and World
Bank’s Structural Adjustment Program also loves to talk about nation
building, citizenship, and the need for a public discussion or debate in
order to arrive at democratic decisions that will govern social life.
At this point, a reminder of what Zizek refers to as “unknown knowns” is
in order (“things we do not know that we know”). Our politicians and
“ideology-free radical moderates” know that social welfare that stems from
state subsidy is being diminished by the economic imperatives of
neoliberalism. As a strategy of accumulation and social discipline
exploited by the Imperialist U.S. and its allies in satellite nation,
neoliberalism can only work through the privatization of the fulfilment of
basic human needs. But it can work better through the empowerment of
private corporations/big business to respond to basic human needs through
private-public partnerships (PPP is a crafty way of politicians to
legitimize the enabling role of the state in empowering big business).
Peoples’ economic struggle depoliticized through cuts in social welfare
combined with more deceptive privatizing social welfare schemes such as
conditional cash transfers (CCTs) and the proliferation of NGOs also
impact on people’s collective participation. For how can one expect an
active citizenry attuned to the ways of deliberative democracy in the
context of a depoliticized economy? So instead of politicizing social
affairs to make the economy serve society, what we have is the
administration of social affairs to make society serve the economy (Karl
Polanyi is not amused in his grave).
State of Emergency
Walter Benjamin’s powerful insight into the state of emergency clarifies
the same condition not as an exception but the rule in the history of the
oppressed. The retooling of U.S. Imperialism in the 90s, and the current
constellation that such retooling has completed make up the deadly current
of neoliberal globalization to which we are all supposed to sink or swim.
It is the state of emergency against which the oppressed is bound to make
history. But just how in the current constellation when the state and its
ideological apparatuses dogmatically preach that ideological divisions no
longer exist? That we no longer have a sizable working class to comprise
the Internationale and unite the human race?
That the victims of natural calamities are poor people from the peasant
and the working classes, from the urban poor semi-proletariat,and the slum
dwellers is telling of the current status of imperialist buzz words such
as “modernization,” “development,” “free market”: they are empty slogans
of a moribund system that continues to enjoy structural adjustment
precisely to avoid change.
This condition plainly reveals that our society has not run out of
oppressed and exploited people to push the right buttons for social
transformation. More importantly, it exposes the extent to which
post-politics as the corresponding ideology of imperialist globalization
has concealed the articulation of social antagonisms. This is the
necessary consequence of the innermost logic of capitalism. And it is
revolting and despicable because it takes away hopes, lives, and futures.
But the class struggle is alive and kicking through the politicization of
crucial biopolitical events such as natural disasters. The activation of
voluntarism among ordinary citizens through their engagement in relief
missions directed towards helping poor people survive is NOT an ugly
picture of pacification and charity winning over criticism and
radicalization.
Why are we ever so mobilized to do things for others in times of natural
disasters? Why, for instance, were people furious upon learning that some
BPO company still required its call center agents to go to work as “they
don’t take orders from government?” Why do we shed tears for strangers
trapped in their houses? For babies and sick people shut in flooded
hospitals? For informal settlers and street vendors who now have nothing
to lose? Why is this not an occasion to blame the poor for their fate?
Because we still need a class standpoint. We still need a proletarian
position to stake a claim on labor that was rendered, on life that was
hard and dedicated to hard labor and to other lives. We still need a
proletarian position to stake a claim on life, on labor and on the future
against the bourgeois state that relentlessly steals them away. And in
doing so, we overtake ourselves towards the future, “one acts now as if
the future one wants to bring about is already here (Badiou’s futur
anterieur or the time of the fidelity to the event cf Zizek, 2008:460).”
When KMU opened an opportunity for a relief mission for workers and their
families, and insisted that the “most affected by the incessant rains,
flooding and other calamities are the communities of workers and urban
poor,” it politicized a biopolitical event that targets the weakest link
in the global capitalist constellation. The Faustian monster (capital) is
exposed for what it is: it devours the source of labor (workers) that
created it to begin with. More significantly, KMU opened a space for us to
overtake ourselves towards the future-- to engage in voluntarism which
involves large-scale collective decisions to provide immediate relief for
the laboring majority. When people are mobilized by proletarian rehearsals
of overcoming disasters, the class struggle is alive and kicking in Third
World countries like our very own.
Reference: Zizek, Slavoj. 2008. In Defense of Lost Causes. London:Verso
All UP Workers Alliance's soup
kitchen
in Payatas and Bahay Toro Photos by Carl Marc Ramota
x
Kalikasan Partylist urges support for relief operations, food and medical
assistance for flood victims
August 8, 2012 -- Philippine environmental movement Kalikasan Partylist
urges citizens and the government to support ongoing relief operations and
contribute to efforts to give immediate food, shelter and medical
assistance to flood victims.
Continuous and heavy rainfall hitting the Philippines this month has
triggered widespread flooding in Metro Manila and adjoining provinces,
displacing more than 260,000 people and killing dozens this week alone.
In addition to the response by the national and local governments, many
people’s organizations and individuals are spearheading efforts to provide
immediate relief to communities displaced by the floods.
For its part, Kalikasan Partylist and its volunteers will be organizing a
mobile soup kitchen (lugawan) today in one of the hard-hit communities,
Barangay Bagong Silangan in Quezon City. This will be followed by relief
operations in affected communities in Cavite and Laguna in cooperation
with the Southern Tagalog Serve the People Corps (STP Brigade) and
Kalikasan Parylist Southern Tagalog.
“There is a need to provide immediate aid, relief and medical assistance
for flood victims now. After rescue operations, communities should have
prompt access to basic needs such as food, shelter and dry clothing, as
well free medical services to help prevent and treat flood-borne diseases,
such as leptospirosis, diarrhea and cholera,” said Kalikasan Partylist
President Clemente Bautista, Jr.
Bautista also cautioned residents of flooded areas to take safety and
sanitation precautions to avoid getting sick or injured.
“Avoid floodwaters as may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage
or electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Listen for
news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to
drink and always boil or purify water to avoid disease outbreaks. Stay
away from downed power lines and report them to the power company
immediately. Clean and disinfect everything that got wet as mud left from
floodwaters can contain sewage and chemicals,” he said.
Kalikasan Partylist is also calling for goods and cash to be donated to
the relief drive initiated by the Serve the People Brigade-Southern
Tagalog. Donations may be brought to Kalikasan’s drop-in center at #26
Matulungin Street, Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon City from 8:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. until August 15. The first series of relief distribution is
scheduled in August 10 in Noveleta, Cavite. Those interested in supporting
the relief drive can contact Natalie Pulvinar of the National Secretariat
at 920.9099 or kalikasanpartylist1@gmail.com. ###
Kalikasan Partylist is a progressive political party formed to protect the
environment and defend the people's welfare. It is comprised of
individuals and various sectors which support pro-people, pro-Filipino and
pro-environment policies, reforms and programs. It is one of the first
green political parties in the Philippines.
Kalikasan Partylist warns
gov’t of heavy rain effects,
calls on three urgent actions to be done now to help avert disaster
Philippine environmental movement Kalikasan Partylist today warned
national government and local government units of the hazards of the
continuous rains currently hitting the country, calling on officials to
act immediately in response to the worsening floods.
The partylist identified three urgent actions to be done now in order to
prevent more disasters and loss of life: operationalize disaster
management protocols, suspend large-scale mining operations and provide
immediate aid, relief, and medical assistance for flood victims.
Operationalize disaster management protocols
Kalikasan Partylist called on the government to allocate resources and
funds needed for local disaster response systems to properly act. There
should be consistent monitoring and updating of areas which are vulnerable
to widespread flooding or flash floods (especially in low-lying areas or
communities near large dams and rivers) and landslides (especially in
geohazard zones and deforested areas). All support must be given to ensure
prompt and proper warning, evacuation and rescue of communities in danger,
especially among the urban and rural poor.
Suspend mining operations now
Kalikasan Partylist urges the national government to immediately suspend
all large-scale mining operations in light of Philex Mining’s recent
tailings spill incidents in its Padcal mine in Tuba, Benguet province
after heavy rains last week flooded its tunnels and tailings pond.
Philex is the country’s largest mining corporation and Padcal is the
country’s largest gold mine. However, there are 30 other large-scale
metallic mines and at least 21 abandoned mines where tailings dam failures
and similar disasters can occur. A full review of safety measures and
inspection for these tailings dams should be urgently undertaken in light
of more storms expected to hit the Philippines this year. Let us not set a
stage for repeating the tragedies of the past, where at least 21 mine
tailings dam failures happened in the past 25 years.
Provide immediate aid, relief and medical assistance for flood victims
Kalikasan Partylist calls on the national and local government to conduct
immediate rescue and relief operations among communities directly affected
and displaced by the rains and flooding and to provide wider medical
services to areas vulnerable to disasters and flood-related diseases, such
as leptospirosis.
For its part, Kalikasan Partylist is also calling for goods and cash to be
donated to the relief drive initiated by the Serve the People
Brigade-Southern Tagalog. Donations may be brought to Kalikasan’s drop-in
center at #26 Matulungin Street, Barangay Central, Diliman, Quezon City
from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. until August 15. The first series of relief
distribution is scheduled in August 10 in Noveleta, Cavite. Those
interested in supporting the relief drive can contact Natalie Pulvinar of
the National Secretariat at 920.9099 or kalikasanpartylist1@gmail.com. ###
Reference: Clemente Bautista, Jr., Kalikasan Partylist President
Contact: Lisa Ito-Tapang, Public Information Officer at 09178179955.
Suspend and investigate
safety of all mines, in light of Philex mines dam failure – Kalikasan
Partylist
Environmental political party Kalikasan Partylist called for the immediate
suspension of all mine sites today in light of the massive spilling of
tailings from the padcal mine operations of Philex Mining.
The party called for a full review of safety measures for tailings dams in
all mining operations, in light of more storms expected to hit the
Philippines this year.
“All mining operations in the Philippines must be put on hold until a full
inspection of all tailings dams and the necessary improvements that the
investigation will identify is implemented. The people cannot rest assured
when even Philex, regarded by its fellow industry giants as among the most
environmentally-safe mining operations, experiences tailings spills during
typhoons,” said Frances Quimpo, Secretary General of Kalikasan Partylist.
“More storms are expected since the Philippines on average is hit by 20
typhoons per year. In the context of the compounding effects of climate
change, the immediate stoppage and review of all mine operations is of
great urgency,” she added.
There are 30 large-scale metallic mines and at least 21 abandoned mines
across the country in which dam failure can occur. The Philippines has a
long history of mining disasters, with at least 21 mine tailings dam
failures recorded in the past 25 years.
“This recent dam failure in Padcal proves that large-scale mining
operations clearly contribute to the increased vulnerability of
communities to disasters. This also proves that President Benigno Aquino
III’s EO 79 on mining is patently anti-environment and anti-people, as it
validated all mining contracts and projects including these operations
that have proven hazardous,” Quimpo asserted.
The recently passed EO 79 was criticized by environmental advocates for
still maintaining pro-foreign and large-scale mining provisions and
lacking substance in terms of environmental protection and people’s
welfare.
“Mining-affected communities are encouraged to monitor mining operations
that can possibly experience dam failures, and to formulate contingency
measures in response to possible spilling. On the policy level, the
passage of HB 4315 or the People’s Mining Bill is needed now more than
ever to ensure the highest environmental standards in the management and
regulation of the mining industry,” said Quimpo.
HB 4315 or the People’s Mining Bill (PMB) was filed in 2011 by Rep. Teddy
Casino alongside other progressive lawmakers with the aim of reorienting
the mining industry towards domestic economic development, environmental
safety and the industrialization and nationalization of the mines sector.
###
Contact: Lisa Ito-Tapang, Public Information Officer at 09178179955.
Gabriela Relief Distribution at Bagong Silangan, QC
With Actress Angel Locsin and Theater Actress Monique Wilson
August 7, 2012 Photos by Gabriela and Kenneth Guda at insidcated by the filenames
x
Habagat
ni Pia Montalban
i
Sino ka nga ba't
Saan ka galing?
Para kang kaaway ni Harry Potter,
Hindi mabigkas-bigkas ang pangalan.
Ngunit mas matindi,
Dahil wala kang pangalan.
Misteryo ang nagpapalakas sa iyo.
Naiipon sa lambong ang pagkadelubyo.
Pangkalahatang tawag,
Habagat ka lamang,
Ngunit nang landiin ni Haikui*,
Hatid ng harutan ninyo:
Mga kulog, kidlat, baha,
Mga ulan na di patatahan,
Na naglunod ng rekord ni Ondoy**
Nagbukas ng tarangkahan ng mga dam:
Ipo, San Roque, Magat, La Mesa,
At huwag na sanang madagdagan pa
Dahil inaabot na sa milyon
Ang nawawasak ng di nakikilalang ragasa.
ii
Sino ka nga ba't
Saan ka galing?
Bumilis ba talaga ang tahip
Ng langit sa nagwaging RH bill?
Inaanod ng baha ang kinabukasan,
Wala nang maumit/magamit sa Calamity Fund.
At marami ang nagpapangap na Balsa ng bayan:
SuperMarket na nagpasilong sa mga donasyon.
Bukas silang sumahod ng mga piso
Sa alulod ng sagad-sagarang oportunismo.
Ngayong bumabaha ang demand,
Sinong kapitalista ang magdadamot ng supply,
Sa tamang halaga?
Mataas na sahod ang giit ng manggagawa?
Heto ang naka-Lidocaine-na-alok:
Tatlumpong porsyento
Sa batayang kita ang umento
Ngunit languyin mo muna
Ang Dagat Pasipiko.***
Nagsisulputan din mga bagong produkto:
Meron na palang Mayor Sardines,
Konsehal Mineral Water, Vice Mayor Rice,
Kagawad T-shirt, Mr. Politico's Noodles.
Alam na dapat natin paano kilalaning
Ligtas ang balsang isasagwan.
Huwag namang sa gitna ng laot,
Manganib malunod
Ang dapat na magliligtas.
iii
Sino ka nga ba't
Saan ka galing?
Binitbit mo ang ulan at basura,
Susi ng dam, etika ng gahaman,
Yero sa aming bubong,
Pagitan ng mahirap at mayaman,
At bumaha sa mga kwarto,
Sala, kusina, lagpas unang palapag,
Bunbunan ng aming tahanan,
Pati siot ng aming diwa--
At doon nagkakilanlan kami,
Nang di ka pa rin namin nakikilala.
8 | 8 | 2012
* Haikui, kasalukuyang bagyo na rumaragasa sa Taiwan, ngunit sa lakas ng
pwersa ay humihila't nagpapalakas sa habagat na nagdala ng higit pang
paglakas sa dati nang tumitindi at di tumitilang buhos ng ulan.
Liham
kina Mitos Magsaysay, Ansel Beluso at sa Simbahan mula sa aking bayan at
lalawigan ng Rizal
ni
Richard R. Gappi
“Critics suggested Tuesday’s drenching and inundation were God’s way of
showing displeasure at the population control measure being rushed in
Congress. Representative Mitos Magsaysay, an opponent of the bill, said on
Twitter: “Heaven must be crying… we have to undo what has been done.” –
Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay (Halaw sa balita sa Philippine Daily
Inquirer)
Kung sugo ng Diyos
ang bagyo, baha, at ulan,
at ang kasawian
bakit pinuntirya nito
ang aming bayan ng Angono
at lalawigan ng Rizal?
Ito ang lalawigan,
ang Diyosesis ng Antipolo
na pinamumunuan ni Bishop Gabriel Reyes,
ang pinuno ng Catholic Bishops'
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
Episcopal Commission on Family and Life.
Ito ang lalawigan
na nagparating sa EDSA
nang may pinakamaraming nagrali
laban sa RH Bill.
Ito ang lalawigan
na ngayon ay may
135 evacuation centers
14, 986 pamilya
68,999 katao ang nasa evacuation center.
Ito ang lalawigan na sa ngayon
ang apat na bayan --
Angono, Cainta, San Mateo at Montalban --
ay nasa state of calamity na.
Sagad.
Sagarin natin:
68, 999 na tao.
Na-RH bill ba ang isa
kaya hindi naging 69,000?
Ay, ang 69.
Isinusumpa ba
ang aming bayan at lalawigan
dahil malibog at mahalay
pagdating sa kantutan?
Utang na loob.
Utang na loob.
-Richard R. Gappi
12:17pm, Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Angono Tres-Siete (3/7) Poetry Society
Angono, Rizal, Pilipinas
=
x
Evacuation Center
mo Mark Joseph Rafal
ang sangmangkok ng lugaw
ay mananatiling lugaw
ang mainit-init na sopas
ay mananatiling sopas
ang sangdakmang bahaw
ay mananatiling bahaw
ang maputlang kape
ay mananatiling kape
ang nangangatog na bata'y mabubuhay sa lugaw
isang araw, ngunit hindi sa kinabukasan
dahil ang higit niyang kailanga'y matibay na bubong
at yakap ng kumot sa gabing kumakalampag ang ulan
ang mainit na sopas ay may talab sa dilang maikli
ng matandang pinapayat ng ubo, bagamat
pansamantala lamang dahil lumilipas ang sopas
at higit na may talab ang angkas ng gamot sa sikmura
ang daliri ng mamang kinapitan ng mga mumong malungkot
ng bahaw na nakasimangot, ay daliring pumapalahaw
ng sumamo, ng kaunting kabuhayang magsusugpong
ng buhay sa pamilyang itinirik sa bunganga ng creek
ang kulot na aso ng maputlang kape'y papanaw
tulad ng usok ng sigarilyong pinatay ng patak-ulan,
at maglalahong parang usok silang naggawad ng kalinga
sa yugtong paslangin ng media ang apoy ng dumaang trahedya
dahil ang sangmangkok ng lugaw
ay kaluluwang ligaw
ang mainit-init na sopas
ay bubong na may butas
ang sangdakmang bahaw
ay katinuang bumitaw
at ang maputlang kape
ay labing walang ngiti.
x
Unnamed Storm
by Noel Gomez on
Strong winds
unleashed its force,
causes water to
rain all over the metro.
Hindi na huhupa ang patak ng ulan
Languyin ang baha ang tanging paraan
Kung ako'y malunod at di na mamasdan
Sa iyong gunita'y dalawin mo minsan.
Akong bahagi rin nitong kalikasan
Ay di na dapat pang tumutol, lumaban
Alabok o putik na nababanlawan
Umiral, subalit papanaw din naman!
Kung ano ang tanim siyang aanihin
Ang lahat nang gawa'y babalik sa atin
Parang tumingala at saka dumura
Ang patak ay tiyak sa atin ding mukha!
Itong kalikasan at tao'y iisa
Ang patak ng luha ay nagiging baha
Gubat, kabundukan na ating winasak
Ganting kamatayan ang bitbit na sumbat!
Kung ano ang tanim siyang aanihin
Ang lahat nang gawa'y babalik sa atin
Parang tumingala at saka dumura
Ang patak ay tiyak sa atin ding mukha!
Sablay ang una kong pagkanta ng Refrain
dahil kinakapa ko ang tono. Sa pangalawang ulit ay nakuha ko rin. Ginawa
ko itong kanta habang tumatawid sa baha ng bagyong Ondoy.
==
x
x
x
August 7, 2012
Dear Friends,
Warm Greetings!
Typhoon “Gener” (international name: Saola), hit the country from
July 28 to August 2,
2012 and its prolonged aftermath (since August 3, 2012) as it drew low
pressure areas (LPAs). The Southwest monsoon (locally called Habagat) has
been unloading torrential rains struck the agricultural provinces of Luzon
the hardest, but also hit more than 45 major areas across the country,
including the National Capital Region (NCR). More than 200,000 families
in 14 regions have been affected by the typhoon and the monsoon downpour,
with close to 60,000 families now being assisted in around 300 government
and makeshift shelters across Luzon.
To date, the death toll from Typhoon “Gener” and the monsoon rose
to 53 while damage to infrastructure, farms and fisheries was placed at
P500 million and parts of typhoon-hit provinces were still without
electric power, according to authorities. Some 8,500 homes were either
totally or partially destroyed by the typhoon. Over 21,000 families have
been accommodated in 260 evacuation centers.
Nearly P412 million worth of damages to all sectors were estimated to be
destroyed by the typhoon and the monsoon rains. Preliminary figures
released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed the typhoon’s damage
to agriculture was estimated at P290 million.
Reports gathered by the
NDRRMC said Typhoon “Gener” and the flooding that followed affected more
than 212,000 families or more than 950,000 people in 1,266 barangays in
152 municipalities and 28 cities in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley,
Central Luzon, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA, Bikol, Western Visayas, Cordillera
Administrative Region and NCR. More than 8,500 houses were also either
partially damaged or totally destroyed.
Oplan Sagip Kanayunan, recorded initial data on peasant areas
affected by “Gener” and Southwest monsoon enhanced by tropical storm ‘Haikui’,
as follows:
Region / Province
Affected families / villages
Southern Tagalog
1.Victoria,
Laguna
450 families
2.Cavite
a.Langkaan,
Dasmarinas
750 families
b.Noveleta
50 fisherfolk
families. Approximately 100 families are in the evacuation center
c.Lumil,
Silang
65 families
3.Batangas
oBgy.
Quisumbing, Calaca
300 families
oBgy.
Coral ni Lopez, Calaca,
350 families
oBgy.
Bucana, Nasugbu
400 families
oBgy.
Wawa, Nasugbu
1,000 families
oBgy.
Calayo, Nasugbu
600 families
4.Rizal
oSitio
Parawagan, Bgy San Rafael, Rodriguez
75 families
Central Luzon
1.Bulacan
a.Brgy.
San Roque, San Jose del Monte
40 families
b.Malolos
29 villages
c.Calumpit
16 villages
d.Obando
11 villages
e.Baliwag
6 villages
f.Bocaue
6 villages
g.San
Miguel
2 villages (40
families)
2.Aurora
6 villages (2,700
families)
3.Pangasinan
– Calasiao
9 villages
Those affected lost their belongings, clothes, kitchenwares,
bedsheets and few appliances. Also, their crops such as rice, bananas,
pineapple, root crops and vegetables were destroyed. They are left with
limited or no source of food, thus, they only rely on petty relief
arriving in their respective areas.
The Oplan Sagip Kanayunan - BALSA or Oplan Rescue Countryside was
launched in September 2009 when Ondoy hit the country. It is a relief and
rehabilitation effort to benefit peasant communities ravaged by the
typhoons. It sponsored several relief missions in rural areas in Montalban
and Binangonan in Rizal, San Jose Del Monte and San Miguel in Bulacan,
Tarlac, Laguna and Isabela. We conducted relief mission in cooperation
with Ms. Angel Locsin (an actress) and Folded n’ Hung apparel at Sitio
Wawa, Bgy. San Rafael,
Montalban, Rizal. We also organized several relief and rehabilitation
missions with local and international institutions such as the National
Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP), Citizens Disaster Response
Center (CDRC), All UP (University of the Philippines) Workers Union,
UNICEF, ASTM, KOOK, to name a few.
Right now, we are organizing a Relief and Rehabilitation Mission from August 14 to 17,
2012 to alleviate the effects of typhoon Gener and the floods due to
Southwest monsoons on affected peasant areas cited above.
Thus, we are appealing your humane hearts to help us by donating food,
clothing, beddings, tents, farm tools, seeds, or any materials that would
help them rebuild their lives.
For those residing within Metro Manila, please
drop off your cash donations or relief goods at the following offices:
KMP National Office
25-B Matiyaga St.,
Bgy. Central, Quezon City
Te: (632) 4352383 or
3793083
RMP National Office
# 13 C Windsor St. East
Fairview, Quezon City
Tel: (632) 930-6950
ANAKPAWIS National
Office
2-J Alley 23, Road 1,
Project 6, Quezon City
1100
Tel: (632) 4545810
For our local network outside Metro Manila and international, we
kindly ask that you make a monetary donation to help us with our relief
efforts. You may coordinate with us atsagipkanayunan@kilusangmagbubukid.org(with
a copy tokmp@kilusangmagbubukid.org).
Thank you very much!
For the struggling peasantry,
(Sgd)WILFREDO
A. MARBELLA (Sgd)SR.
FRANCIS ANOVER, RSM
Deputy Secretary General for Internal
Affairs National Coordinator
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP)
Brigada Kalikasan soup kitchen
goes to brgy. Bagong Silangan, QC Photos by Kalikasan Partylist
x
August 7, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reference: Connie Bragas-Regalado, 0933-6503487
Sagip
Migrante call for donations and volunteers
In the spirit of bayanihan, Migrante
International and Migrante Sectoral Partylist are calling on its chapters
and members around the world to raise funds in aid of families devastated
by floods caused by continuous heavy rains.
The ‘Sagip-Migrante Fund Drive’
is aimed at gathering financial support for victims. Funds will be in
support of rescue missions, distribution and delivery of essential goods
such as rice, canned goods and bottled water, setting up of soup kitchens
and other relief missions in affected areas in Metro Manila, Southern
Luzon and Central Luzon.
Sagip-Migrante is now open for
monetary donations. Support in kind is also welcome; however, goods from
overseas may not arrive in time.
All donations may be deposited
to Sagip Migrante's bank account.
Account name: Migrante
International
Bank of the Philippines Islands, Kalayaan Branch
Savings Account No. 1993-0859-16
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM
For details please email
migrante2007@yahoo.com.ph or text or call 911-4910 (landline),
0932-7043274 (mobile).
Relief goods may also be sent
to Migrante International’s Home Office: #45 Cambridge St, Cubao, Quezon
City.
Sagip Migrante will also be
setting-up rescue operations as soon as possible.
According to Migrante Sectoral
Partylist president Connie Bragas-Regalado, it is the task of all overseas
Filipinos to cooperate and help our kababayans in times of calamity.
She recounted the successful
experience of Sagip-Migrante during typhoons Ondoy and Pedring wherein
“the swift response of our kababayans fostered a broader unity among
overseas Filipinos, bringing them closer to the Motherland”.
“We will list the names of
donors unless they prefer to be anonymous. The listing will be updated
regularly on our website (http://migranteinternational.org),” she said.
###
Office Address: #45 Cambridge
St, Cubao, Quezon City
Telefax: 9114910
CEGP
nanawagan ng pagtutulungan at pagiging makabayan ng kabataan
Umaabot na sa 20 meters ang water level sa Marikina at may 51 na ang
namamatay sa iba’t-ibang parte ng Metro Manila at mga probinsyang kalapit
nito ngunit huli ang pagtugon ng pamahalaang Aquino.
“Hindi na naman naging maagap ang mga ahensya ng gobyerno ni Benigno
Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III at ng kanyang mga alyado sa dumating na sakuna
sa ating bansa, malala na ang sitwasyon ng magsimulang magbigay ng tulong
sa ating mga kababayan” pagbabahagi ni Marc Lino Abila, National Deputy
Secretary General ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines ukol sa
paghagupit ng ulan at paglikas sa ating mga kababayan.
Hinamon ni Abila ang gobyerno sa mas maagap na pagtugon sa pangangailangan
nga materyal na suporta at pagliligtas sa mamamayng Pilipino sa mga sakuna.
“Ngayon higit kailanman dapat magbayanihan tayong mga Pilipino,
magtulungan tayo kung nananatiling tamad at walang pakialam ang pamahalaan,”
dagdag ni Abila.
Itinuro naman ni Abila ang pagsasawalang bahala sa kalikasan at kapabayaan
sa mga kalat ng labis na produksyon ang sanhi ng mga sakuna sa Pilipinas.
“Hindi maayos ang programa ng ating gobyerno para sa kalikasan at
mamamayan ang nagbabayad sa kapabayaang ito. Nagkukulang ng mga kagamitan
para sa pagsagip sa mga mamamayan at wala pang sapat na debfriefing para
sa mga biktima ng sakuna,” dagdag ni Abila.
“Kailangang magkaisa ng kabataan at mamamayan upang suungin ang pagsubok
na ito sa ating bansa. Hindi kailangang sumandig sa gobyerno upang
matugunan ang mga ganitong sakuna dahil kulang ang kanilang mga hakbang
upang mailigtas sa kapahamakan an gating mga kababayan,” paalala ni Abila
sa mga kapwa kabataan.
Pasado 11:00 n.u. na dumating si Aquino III sa National Disaster Risk
Reduction and Management Council samantalang kagabi pa ay binabaha na ang
kalakhan ng Metro Manila. “Pagpapakita lamang ito ng kawalang sinseridad
ng ating pamahalaan na isipin ang mga mamamayan. Panandaliang na naman ang
pagtugon ng pamahalaan dahil wala pang naihahandang rehabilitation
programs sa mag lugar na tinamaan ng malakas na ulan at pagbabaha,”
pahayag ni Anna Patricia Santos, Vice President for Luzon ng CEGP.
“Nananawagan ang Pambansang Opisina ng CEGP sa lahat ng mga balangay nito
na makiisa sa Tulong Kabataan Volunteer Network sa pangangalap ng mga
donsayon at pag-aksyon para sa kaligtasan ng mas nakakaraming mamamayan,”
pagtatapos ni Santos.
Ang Kabataan Party-list kaisa ang mga national youth organizations,
konseho ng mag-aaral at CEGP ay naglulunsad ng Tulong Kabataan, isang
kampanya ng pangangalap ng mga donasyon para sa mga biktima ng pagbaha sa
Metro Manila at mga kalapit na rehiyon.
--
Anna Patricia Santos
Vice President for Luzon
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
College Editors Guild of the Philippines National Office
(02) 437.01.48
August 7, 2012
Press Release: Contact Person: Phot Ng- 09377760342
Serve the People Corps conducts Ocular Visits
in 3 barangays in Calamba City Photos by UPLB Zoom Out
August 7, 2012. Isinagawa ang ocular
visit sa Brgy Lingga, Brgy Palingon at Brgy Sampinihan sa bayan ng Calamba,
Laguna. Humigit-kumulang na 3600 na pamilya ang apektado ng abot-dibdib na
baha. Ganap na alas-singko nang umaga nagsimula ang evacuation na halos
750 na pamilya ang natugunan. Sa kasamaang palad, maging ang mga
evacuation centers ay binabaha na rin kaya't inaasahang ililipat ang mga
evacuees sa mga palengke at eskwelahan ng mga baranggay kabilang na rin
ang Central Elementary School sa Bayan ng Calamba.
Sa ngayon, nangangailangan pa rin ng medikal na tulong, damit at pagkain
ang ating mga kababayan. May iilan pang mga pamilya ang hindi pa
naevacuate. Inaasahang mas tataas pa ang pagbaha sa mga baranggay na ito
at karatig lugar dahil sa pagpapakawala ng tubig mula sa Caliraya Dam.
By: Uplb Zoom Out
x
Serve the People Corps in
Southern Tagalog to step up relief and medical mission as heavy rains
continue
Despite the postponement of their medical and relief mission in Brgy.
Sineguelasan, Bacoor, Cavite earlier today, the Serve the People Corps -
Southern Tagalog (STPC-ST) announced that they are stepping up efforts to
gather more resources for the victims in the region of the unprecedented
heavy rainfall that is enveloping the country.
According to STPC-ST spokesperson Andrainne Mark Ng, the scheduled relief
and medical mission earlier today was postponed after the heavy rain
caused massive floods in Bacoor up to Zapote road in Cavite. "We sincerely
regret that we had to postpone, but affected communities can be assured
that we will do all that we can to give relief and medical assistance to
them.
According to Ng, heavy rains continue to flood communities in Cavite,
Laguna, Rizal and Batangas. “With the increase in number of affected areas
around Southern Tagalog, we are calling for volunteers and donations for
the brigade.” Ng added.
STPC-ST People’s Centers are set up in different areas in Southern Tagalog
and National Capital Region. Students in UPLB, led by partylist
organizations KABATAAN and Kalikasan Green Party of the Philippines (Kalikasan
Partylist) went on a house-to-house to gather donations for the victims,
while Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas have announced that it will conduct
Sagip Kanayunan due to heavy floods in farmlands in support of STPC.
STPC has recorded around 2000 households affected in Brgy. Lingga, San
Piruhan and Palingon, Calamba, Laguna and around 200 households in Brgy.
Sta. Angel Central and Calios in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. In Lupang Ramos,
Dasmarinas, Cavite, a total of 29 hectares of banana and mais plants have
been flooded. 30 hectares of rice plants have been flooded in Rizal, Omoc
have. Ng said they anticipate that the number of affected areas will
continue to rise.
Meanwhile, Kalikasan Partylist in a press release today called on the
government to do three urgent actions: operationalize disaster management
protocols, suspend large-scale mining operations and provide immediate
aid, relief, and medical assistance for flood victims.
According to Kalikasan Partylist Southern Tagalog regional spokesperson
Edge Genciagan, “If we manage our resources responsibly and have
large-scale mining suspended, then casualties caused by calamities in our
country will lessen. Now is the time for genuine ‘bayanihan’. We should
act upon the hazards of continuous rains hitting the country; at the same
time learn from this lesson so as not to repeat the same mistakes.”
Serve the People Corps is an alliance of groups and individuals that
conduct services in affected areas of the country caused by typhoons and
other calamities. #
For more information, please contact ICA @ 09082197034 | 09058460174 or
visit Facebook page: Southern Tagalog Serve The People Corps.
OASIS
ni Axel Pinpin
Kapag umuulan. at malamig
at nakakapamanglaw sa pag-ibig,
hindi kami nagsasalsal lamang
ng mga salita
o kaya ay nagpapatay ng oras
para mag-isip ng pagkakaguluhang
status sa Facebook
na aani ng Like,
at mga birtwal na hagalpakan
at pamumutang-ina.
Wala kami
sa mga pinakakomportableng sofa
o smoking area ng de-kisameng bahay
at coffee shop
para makapag-search at download
ng litrato ng mga artista.
Sa malalamig na sahig
ng simbahan, nilatagan ng lawanit
katabi
ang mga nag-bakwit
na magsasaka ng Bondoc Peninsula,
(hindi dahil sa bagyo)
sa mga iskwelahang
abot-hanggang-singit
ang tubig at putik,
kasalo ang mga lumikas na mamamayan
ng Los Baños,
(sa mga ngiting pinipilit)
sa mga sagingang
ibinuwal ang katawan
at dinurog ang puso,
kakapihan ang mga aligagang magbubukid
ng Lupang Ramos,
(ng sinangag na bigas)
sa mga irigasyon
ng Malainen Bago at San Benito
na kung hindi pa sa baha
ay hindi magkakatubig ang uhaw
na uhay,
(na isinasaing ninyo araw-araw)
Sa mga naka-thermal jacket
ninyong kukote
na minsang pinulutan si Marx, Lenin at Mao
ngunit ang atupag ngayo'y pamumundok
at paglalaro ng Dota,
(na di kailanman banta sa kaaway)
Nariyan kami.
x
PRESS RELEASE
August 7, 2012
REFERENCE: Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan national chairperson, 09328618369
As new typhoon enters
country, another storm surge of oil price hike hits the Philippines.
Suspend oil price hikes, not just classes and work! – Anakbayan
The youth group Anakbayan slammed the Aquino government today for allowing
today’s oil price hike in the face of non-stop rains and floods which have
submerged many parts of Metro Manila in waist-deep and even chest-deep
floods.
“While ordinary Filipinos are busy coping with the rains and floods, the
oil firms are taking advantage of the situation by hiking their prices.
They are basically ‘profiteering’ off the misery of other people” said
Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of Anakbayan.
This morning, Petron announced that their gas prices increased by P0.80
per liter, diesel by P0.40 per liter and kerosene by P0.30 per liter.
Shell, meanwhile, hiked its gasoline by P0.80 per liter, diesel by P0.40
per liter, and kerosene by P0.30 per liter. Total raised their gas price
by P0.80 per liter, and diesel by P0.40 per liter.
“Where is Aquino when the people need him the most? Enjoying the ‘bed
weather’?” said Crisostomo.
The youth leader demanded that the Palace and the Dept. of Energy (DOE)
intervene by implementing a price freeze for all petroleum products
indefinitely.
“With their multi-billion peso profits, the oil firms cannot argue that a
price freeze will make them close shop. The Aquino administration has all
the legal and moral reasons for implementing such a freeze” he concluded.
###
--
#89 K7 Street corner Kalayaan Avenue, Quezon City
Website: www.anakbayan.org
Facebook.com/anakbayan
Twitter: @anakbayan_ph
Anakbayan is the comprehensive mass organization of the Filipino youth,
advocating genuine national independence and democracy as a solution to
the nation's problems. It is open to anyone from 13 to 35 years old, and
currently has a 20,000-strong membership across the Philippines and in
several cities in the U.S and Canada.
It is not a partylist group and is in no way affiliated with the pro-Aquino
group Akbayan.
x
Flood victims
cannot accept Aquino's excuses--CPP
Communist Party of the Philippines
August 09, 2012
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today expressed its deepest
sympathies to the hundreds of thousands of victims of the floods that
inundated wide swathes of the National Capital Region and residential and
commercial areas and agricultural lands in Central Luzon and Southern
Tagalog and caused grave hardships to millions of people in areas as far
as Northern Luzon.
“A great majority of the victims are residents of urban
poor, middle- and lower-middle class communities and relocation sites
whose homes and properties were swept away by floods resulting from
several days of torrential rains,” said the CPP. “At least 200,000 people
were forced to move to ill-equipped and ill-prepared evacuation centers,
typically, public school buildings and gymnasiums.”
“CPP branches and broad progressive and democratic mass
organizations exist in a big number of these communities,” said the CPP.
“Party cadres and mass activists carried out rescue efforts and organized
community evacuation efforts. In Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, units
of the New People’s Army (NPA) were immediately mobilized to provide
assistance to the flood victims.”
“Despite several days of inclement weather and rising
flood waters, both national and local government agencies were largely
unable to mobilize enough resources to carry out expeditious rescue
operations and provide sufficient accomodations for flood victims,” said
the CPP.
“Yesterday, Benigno Aquino III and his senatorial
candidates for the 2013 elections, distatesfully displayed crass
politicking when they lined themselves up to distribute bags of food and
water amidst widespread desperation,” said the CPP. “He could only offer
lame excuses such as claiming that weather forecasts and flood alert
warnings are too technical and could not be understood by ordinary people.
Behind the criticism of weather forecasts, he wanted, in fact, to blame
the victims for not seeking higher ground despite the flood warnings.”
“These excuses are simply not acceptable to the
Filipino people and victims of floods whose sufferings are worsened by the
gross inability of the Aquino government to prepare and mobilize the
people in the face of impending and ongoing calamities, as well at its
failure to carry out the necessary measures to prevent such great floods,”
added the CPP.
The CPP cited “clear proofs of the failure of the
Aquino regime to prioritize efforts to prevent and prepare for widespread
disasters.” Among others, it said:
(1) Preparing for disasters is not among the priorities
of the Aquino regime, as shown by its failure to organize the safe
evacuation of the people and grave lack of facilities to provide comfort
to the flood victims. In a statement issued by Aquino last December, he
dissuaded government agencies “against using the Calamity Fund for
pre-disaster activities, such as the preparation of relocation sites or
facilities, and the training of personnel directly involved in disaster
management.”
(2) Since the 2009 Ondoy floods, the reactionary
government now headed by Aquino has failed to take the necessary measures
to prevent the repeat of such destruction. Among others, it has failed to
put a stop to the greedy practice of hydroelectric companies to accumulate
water to dangerous levels (which lowers their costs of production of
electricity), only to open the flood gates at the last moment and release
large volumes of water that floods rivers and waterways.
(3) The Aquino regime has failed to carry out
significant efforts at reforestation as this runs contrary to its priority
of attracting foreign companies to undertake mining operations in denuded
mountainous areas.
(4) Despite longstanding demands by the people of
Laguna and Metro Manila, the reactionary government has yet to take the
first step to desilt Laguna Bay as it seems to be more concerned with
ensuring its kickbacks in the project contracts.
(5) The Aquino regime has yet to undertake any
large-scale efforts to desilt other major riverways and rehabilitate or
construct waste disposal systems, canals and floodways, as these are not
attractive profit-making projects that would entice foreign investors to
join its Public-Partnership Program.
Various appeal for relief goods and
donations
Media Release
10 August 2012
KMU
calls for more donations for flood victims
Continuing its relief drive which started last Aug. 7, labor center
Kilusang Mayo Uno is calling for more donations for victims of the heavy
rains and massive flooding that hit the country these past weeks.
KMU is continuing its relief drive called Task Force Obrero, which it
initiated together with pro-worker groups and institutions, and has called
on its members, the public and its local and international partners for
donations.
“We continue to call on our members, the public, media groups, the Church,
entrepreneurs, politicians and our international partners for donations
for victims of the massive flooding who are mostly workers, farmers and
other poor people,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
“We thank those who have extended their help. We know, however, that many
of our kababayans still need all the help that we can extend,” he added.
“We also demand that the Aquino government speed up and increase its
relief and rehabilitation efforts because our people are badly in need of
these and more typhoons are coming our way. It should also ‘moderate the
greed’ of the oil and power firms, call center companies and other
capitalists,” he said.
Despite the heavy rains and flooding, KMU has been carrying out a
house-to-house campaign since last Aug. 7 to immediately gather donations
from Quezon City residents for flood victims, using its sound system for
protest actions to appeal to the public.
It has immediately delivered a modest amount of relief goods to residents
of Gulod and Bagong Silangan in Quezon City and Marikina City.
“Most of our members in urban poor and rural communities are affected. We
continue to be in touch with them and it’s clear that they still need our
donations,” Labog said.
“We are in the process of forming Workers Service Brigades which will go
to urban poor and rural communities to deliver relief goods and extend
solidarity to our fellow Filipinos who are in need right now,” he added.
KMU has called on its unions and mass organizations, as well as its
international partners, to donate for the flood victims.
Task Force Obrero is composed of KMU, Anakpawis Partylist, Pagkakaisa ng
mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide, Ecumenical Institute for Labor
Education and Research, Center for Trade-Union and Human Rights, and
Institute for Occupational Health and Development.
Reference: Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson, 0908-1636597
---------------------------------------------------
Media Release
10 August 2012
KMU: Aquino’s electioneering amidst disaster won’t work
Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno condemned Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III
today for bringing his party’s candidates for the 2013 senatorial
elections to relief operations around flood-stricken areas in Metro
Manila, saying the president’s early campaign won’t get his candidates
elected.
KMU cited photos and video footages showing the president with Akbayan
spokesperson Risa Hontiveros, Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara, Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority director Joel Villanueva, and
Bureau of Customs chief Ruffy Biazon – all senatoriables of the Liberal
Party – last Aug. 8 going around areas in Metro Manila that were
devastated by floods.
“Pres. Aquino is obviously turning relief operations into campaign sorties
for his senatoriables. People can easily see through this shameless use of
government funds and exploitation of people’s miseries aimed at getting
these people elected,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
“These cheap gimmicks won’t boost these senatoriables’ chances of winning
in the elections. Judging from reactions online, these are already
backfiring on the president and his candidates,” he added.
“People need help and genuine solidarity during disasters, not pretty
faces that look oh so eager to get their votes. The people won’t be duped
by politicians who make so much noise condemning traditional politics but
nonetheless practice this kind of politics,” he said.
KMU said the senatoriables may even suffer from being associated with the
president whose popularity ratings continue to decline.
“These senatoriables may even suffer from being associated with the
president, whose performance amidst the disaster is deplorable. It’s more
likely that the president’s approval ratings will continue to drop,” Labog
said.
“Pres. Aquino allowed oil companies to increase prices and power companies
to announce a rate hike, provided an opening for call center companies to
force employees to work amidst the intense rains, and blamed the poor for
our misery,” he added.
“The president’s campaign sortie with the LP’s senatoriables further
highlights his poor performance amidst this national disaster. This
gimmick won’t help him or his senatoriables,” he said.
Mga manggagawa,
nagkakapit-bisig para sa mga nasalanta
Nagkakapit-bisig ngayon ang mga unyon, pederasyon, mga NGO at iba’t-iba
pang samahan ng mga manggagawa sa ilalim ng Task Force Obrero (TFO) para
tulungan ang mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng mga pagbaha.
Kabilang sa mga organisasyong ito ang Kilusang Mayo Uno, Pagkakaisa ng mga
Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor (PISTON), Anakpawis Partylist, Center for
Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), Ecumenical Institute for Labor
Education and Research (EILER), Institute for Occupational Health, Safety,
and Development (IOHSAD), Crispin B. Beltran Resource Center (CBBRC), at
Balai Obrero Foundation, Inc.
Ayon kay Lito Ustarez, KMU vice-chairperson at convenor ng Task Force
Obrero, “Nagsama-sama ngayon ang mga manggagawa para sumaklolo sa mga
kapwa natin maralita at anakpawis na nasalanta ng baha”.
Sa kasagsagan ng pag-ulan noong Martes, nagsimula nang magbahay-bahay ang
mga manggagawa sa kalapit na barangay para mangalap ng mga pagkain, damit,
gamot at iba pang relief goods.
“Mula sa mga nalikom natin mula sa mga kababayan natin at kapwa manggagawa,
nakapaghatid na tayo ng mga paunang tulong sa mga apektadong komunidad sa
Marikina at Quezon City,” ani Ustarez.
“Pero talagang napakaliit pa ng ating nalilikom at napapamahagi. Kaya
naman patuloy pa rin ang Task Force Obrero sa pagbabahay-bahay at
pangangalap ng tulong,” dagdag niya.
Panawagan ng tulong
Nanawagan naman ang Task Force Obrero para sa karagdagang relief goods o
cash donations para sa mga biktima ng kalamidad lalo na’t karamihan sa mga
nasalanta ay mga maralitang manggagawa at anakpawis.
“Bukod sa pakikibaka para sa sahod, trabaho at karapatan, mahalagang
magkapit-bisig tayo ngayon sa pagbigay ng kagyat na tulong sa ating mga
kababayan na wala na nga ay lalo pang nawalan dahil sa sakunang ito,” ani
ni Ustarez.
“Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga nauna nang nagpahatid ng tulong. Sa mga
kababayan naman po nating gustong magbigay pa, bukas po ang aming
tanggapan para sa mga donasyon at sa mga gustong maging volunteers,”
dagdag niya.
Sa mga gusto pang magbigay ng donasyon at magvolunteer, matatagpuan ang
tanggapan ng Task Force Obrero sa:
Task Force Obrero
c/o Balai Obrero Foundation
63 Narra St., Proj. 3 Quezon City 1102 Philippines
Telephone Number: 63 2 4210986
Para naman sa mga cash donations, maaring ipadala sa bank account ng Task
Force Obrero sa:
Account Name: Balai Obrero Foundation Inc.
Account Number: 001490128806
Bank Address: BDO, Anonas, Aurora Blvd. , Quezon City
Reference: Lito Ustarez, KMU vice-chairperson at Task Force Obrero co-convenor,
0908-6491992
x
Kawanihan sa Impormasyon
Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas
Press Release
August 03, 2012
PKP, nakidalamhati sa mga
biktima ng bagyo
Nakikidalamhati ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas sa libu-libong biktima
ng bagyong Gener na nagdulot ng walang-habas na pag-ulan noong nakaraang
ilang araw. Di kukulangin sa 35 katao ang nasawi sa pagbaha at kalamidad
na dulot ng bagyo, karamihan, mga maralitang mamamayan na naninirahan sa
mga sira-sirang kabahayan laluna yaong mga nasa sapa at baybaying-dagat,
maging sa malawak na kanayunan na binaha ng mga umapaw na ilog.
"Tulad sa nakaraan, ang malaking bilang ng mga biktima ng kalamidad ay mga
maralitang walang hanapbuhay, mangingisda at magsasakang nakatira sa mga
lugar na peligroso sa pagbaha," anang PKP. Ang bahang dulot ng
walang-habas na pag-ulan noong mga nakaraang araw ay sumalanata sa pang-araw-araw
na buhay at kabuhayan ng mamamayan sa Metro Manila at sa mga prubinsya ng
Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Pangasinan maging sa mga prubinsya ng
hilagang bahagi ng Luzon."
"Ang walang-kaparis na antas at tindi ng pagbaha noong mga nakaraang taon
ay kumulatibong resulta ng malawakang pagkawasak ng kapaligiran at
pagkakalbo ng mga kagubatan, pagbabaw ng mga ilog at daluyan, maging ng
kawalan o pagkabulok ng mga sistema ng pagtatapon ng basura at pangontra
sa baha sa halos lahat ng mga kalunsuran," anang PKP.
Ang mga imahe ng mamamayang nagdurusa dahil sa malawakang pagbaha sa
kalunsuran at ang pagkawasak ng kanilang mga tahanan at taniman ay
absolutong taliwas sa imahe ng 'kaunlarang' inilalarawan ng rehimeng
Aquino," pagdidiin ng PKP. "Ang ipinaghahambog ni Aquino na handa ang
gubyerno nito sa mga kalamidad sa pamamagitan ng pag-iimbak ng relief
goods sa mga lugar para sa ebakwasyon ay sumambulat sa mukha nito matapos
ipahayag mismo ng mga lokal na upisyal na sapat lamang para sa isang araw
ang naturang suplay."
"Ang totoo sa likod ng mabulaklak na mga talumpati ni Aquino, walang
substansyal na ginagawa ang kanyang rehimen para lutasin ang mga batayang
usapin na sanhi ng malawakang pagbaha at iba pang nagsasapeligro sa
mamamayan sa mga gayong kalamidad," dagdag ng PKP.
Mas binibigyang prayoridad ng rehimeng Aquino ang kapakanan ng malalaking
dayuhang kumpanya sa pagmimina, subalit hindi ang kapaligiran, mga
maralitang magsasaka at katutubong mamamayan. Ipinapauna nito ang interes
ng malalaking debeloper ng mga lupain at mga dayuhang katuwang nito
subalit hindi ang interes ng mga manggagawa at malaking bilang ng mga
taong walang hanapbuhay na naninirahan sa mga maralitang komunidad sa
kalunsuran na itinataboy sa kanilang mga tahanan at lupa," anang PKP.
x
CPP
condoles with victims of tropical storms
Communist Party of the Philippines
August 03, 2012
The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today expressed sympathy with
thousands of victims of typhoon Gener which brought torrential rains over
the past several days. At least 35 people have died as a result of floods
and typhoon-related calamities, mostly poor people living in decrepit
urban dwellings especially near creeks and along coastlines, as well as in
vast rural areas inundated by swelling rivers.
“As in the past, the most numerous victims of the calamities are the poor
unemployed, fisherfolk and peasants who live in flood-prone areas,” said
the CPP. “Floods following persistent rains over the past few days have
wrought havoc on the daily lives and livelihood of the people in Metro
Manila, and in the provinces of Bulacan, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales,
Pangasinan as well as provinces in the northern parts of Luzon.”
“Unprecedented levels and intensity of floods over the past several years
are the cumulative result of the massive environmental destruction and
denudation of forests, siltation of rivers and waterways, as well as the
absence or decaying state of waste disposal and flood control systems in
most of the urban areas,” said the CPP.
“The images of people suffering from widespread urban flooding and
destruction of their homes and fields stand in stark contrast to the image
of ‘progress’ being painted by the Aquino regime,” pointed out the CPP.
“Aquino’s boast that his government is now prepared for calamities by
having relief goods waiting at evacuation centers has fallen flat on its
face as many local officials aver that they only have one day’s supply.”
“The reality is, beyond the façade of Aquino’s flowery speeches, his
regime is not doing anything substantial to resolve the fundamental issues
that cause widespread flooding and those that make the people prone to
such calamities,” added the CPP.
“The Aquino regime gives priority to the concerns of foreign big mining
companies, but not to the concerns of the environment, the poor peasants
and minority peoples. It prioritizes the interests of big property
developers and its foreign partners, but not the interests of workers and
mass of unemployed people residing in urban poor communities who are being
driven away from their homes and lands,” said the CPP.
