LETTERS

Jude Wal 11’s senseless death

ANAKBAYAN condemns the death of Jude Castañeda Wal II of Tadian, Mountain Province. Jude, a graduating accountancy student of Saint Louis University was violently murdered while on his way to bring his brother to SLU Laboratory High School.

According to police report, he was shot by an unidentified gunman several times. He was also been brought to SLU hospital but declared dead during the medical treatment.

Jude is one of the many youth victims of senseless violence. We criticize the government’s failure to safeguard the youth from any form of violence. In Jude’s case, and same with the other victims of violence, we call for immediate justice for his death.

We challenge the youth and students to make a move for change. As youth, we should initiate and do something for a youth-friendly society, free from all forms of discrimination and assault to the youth. Do not let the violence to repeat. Let us show that the youth take action for a violence-free state.

Justice for Jude Castaneda Wal 11! Struggle for a violence-free state!

AK Riva
Secretary-General
ANAKBAYAN Metro-Baguio


ACT condemns ‘social crime’ of Baguio university

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers -- Metro Baguio strongly unites with the Kapatiran ng mga Empleado ng University of the Cordilleras (Kapatiran) in their persistent struggle for the recognition of their economic and democratic rights. A lesson in social justice, their struggle it is not only a requisite to but is also a relevant material in genuine education.

It thus condemns the University of the Cordillera’s little recognition of this social responsibility and the state’s conspiracy in this “social crime” by their non-recognition of the teachers’ rights and welfare.

On December 2007, the Kapatiran filed a Notice of Strike voted for by more than 60% of its membership against the UC administration because of the numerous violations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) which constitute unfair labor practice.

This was after several conciliation meetings before the National Conciliation and Mediation Board - DOLE which the administration handled in bad faith. It refused to negotiate with the union president whom it constructively dismissed and it persistently sent a representative who could not fully commit for the administration.

But even before the union could stage its strike, DOLE issued an order for an Assumption of Jurisdiction (AJ) which blunted the power of the strike, the strongest bargaining instrument of the employees to get their legitimate demands.

ACT - Metro Baguio, who has become a partner of the UC union (then Baguio Colleges Foundation) from its first strike in 1989, challenges the leaders and the members of the Kapatiran to carry on with the fight even under more difficult circumstances.

ACT notes of the valuable lessons of that fight and the continuing fights not only for the teachers and personnel, the students, their parents and the BCF administration, but also for the entire Baguio community.

First, that recognizing that the issues of the UC personnel are related to the issues of the students and the parents, the wider education sector, the Baguio community and the national community is foremost. The non-recognition of economic benefits and democratic rights of many educators is an issue not only in UC but also in many other schools, both private and public, in Baguio and in the whole country. It is an effect of the little priority that government gives to education.

And so, it continues to relegate this social responsibility to the private sector, majority of who are profit-driven and can now do as they wish to compress benefits and quell protests. The demoralization this causes does not contribute to a good learning atmosphere. It further lowers the quality of education. And so, we must seek the support and participation of students, fellow teachers, parents and the general public to our just cause.

Second, that unity of the union on this analysis of their issues is important. There must be tighter unity among the officers, with all members and with all the other teachers and personnel on this, towards formulating appropriate tactics and strategies not only to resolve the issues but also, to contribute to the greater task of relevant education. Whenever there was strong and wider unity on this, there is more support and there are greater victories.

Third, that continuing information and education on the value of the union, union processes and on its issues further strengthens and broadens this unity. We must continue to impress to our members that our union is our collective strength and we must let them know of our improving systems and processes. We must continue to inform them of our issues and the developments in our efforts to address these. Continuous education results in greater appreciation of and cooperation in the work of the union.

Fourth, that collective work ensures more participation, more ideas and opinions and more work done in a shorter time. It gives importance to each one’s contribution and it also ensures a continuing development of leaders who are ready to take on greater tasks.
Fifth, that sacrifice is necessary.

As we fight for what is just and demand what rightly belong to us, the management could always resort to tactics of intimidation, harassment and payoff, given its resources and influence. Hence, as we choose not to be silenced, we should believe that those who sacrifice gain greater respect like many teacher leaders and even students in the past who have paid a high price so that the welfare of the personnel would be better.

Therefore, continue to be inspired by your militant history! And armed with the lessons of your past struggles, strengthened with the conviction that your fight is just, and guided by collective responsibility, you will surely prevail!

Ronnie Taggaoa
Alliance of Concerned
Teachers – Metro Baguio