Various government unions led by the Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines  (SWEAP); Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE); and, people’s organizations such as Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), representing the urban poor; and, GABRIELA representing women, gathered at the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Central Office yesterday, to push for “tunay na pagbabago” (Real change) under the banner “Kawani at Mamamayan Para sa Pagbabago”.

Manuel Baclagon, SWEAP National President, outlined the 15-Puntong Adyenda ng Mamamayan sa Pagbabago being pursued by the Movement for Change which was agreed upon by different organizations during the People’s Summit held last June 29, 2016 at the University of the Philippines.

This was presented to President Rodrigo R. Duterte during his inauguration and the proponents are hoping that he will respond to this in the soonest possible time.

These are:

1. Ipaglaban ang karapatan ng bansang magpursige sa sarili at ang dangal ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas.
2. Igalang ang karapatang pantao.
3. Igiit ang kalayaang pang-ekonomiya.
4. Ilunsad ang pambansang industriyalisasyon.
5. Ipatupad ang tunay na reporma sa lupa.
6. Itaas ang sahod at ang pamumuhay ng mga manggagawa.
7. Palawakin ang serbisyong panlipunan.
8. Itigil ang pandarambong at lahat ng anyo ng katiwalian at korapsyon.
9. Bawasan ang badyet militar at ilaan sa pagpapaunlad ng ekonomiya at serbisyong panlipunan.
10. Itaguyod ang makabayan, demokratiko, siyentipiko at progresibong sistema ng edukasyon at kultura.
11. Itaguyod ang pagkapantay ng kasarian at bakahin ang diskriminasyong sekswal.
12. Tiyakin ang nararapat na paggamit ng mga likas na yaman at pangalagaan ang kalikasan.
13. Igalang ang karapatan ng pambansang minorya.
14. Ipagpatuloy ang negosasyong pangkapayapaan sa National Democratic Front (NDF) at Moro Islamic Liberation Front  (MILF).
15. Ipursige ang isang malayang patakarang panlabas.

The discussion focused on the issues and gains of the Duterte administration in its first 100 days vis-à-vis the concerns of the affected sectors, such as the urban poor, women, and militant groups.

Sharon Cabusao, a former political prisoner, stated that they “feel hopeful because of the mere fact that the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front Party (NDFP) are proceeding and these have positive effects on the case of political prisoners.”

They are also optimistic that the General Amnesty for all political prisoners will be granted soon since the deadline is on October 21.

Meanwhile, Nanay Inday Bagsabas, National Vice-President of KADAMAY, emphasized the need for permanent, decent job, housing, and sufficient wages.

On the other hand, Atty. Catherine Panganiban, from the office of Gabriela Party List Representative Emmi De Jesus, summed up the issues and concerns affecting women in the acronym CHANGE which stands for Comprehensive social services focused on health, education and housing; Human rights and social justice; Anti-discrimination and anti-violence against women and their children; National Sovereignty; Genuine land reform and national industrialization; and Environmental protection and disaster preparedness.

For her part, DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo enumerated the gains of the Department under her leadership in the first 100 days of the Duterte administration which include assistance to Lumads who returned to their ancestral lands, repatriation of OFWs stranded in Saudi Arabia, GRP and NDFP Peace Talks, Anti-Drugs Campaign, and the pursuit of an independent foreign policy, among others.

Sec. Taguiwalo emphasized that the DSWD is geared towards providing, “Tunay na malasakit sa mga mamamayan, tapat na paglilingkod na walang puwang ang katiwalian, at patas na pagtrato sa komunidad  (Compassionate and genuine service to the needy, with no hint of corruption and equal treatment to everyone in the community).”

Sec. Taguiwalo also stressed on the importance of uniting the people to act on their rights and interest as any meaningful change can only come from the people.  “They are the real makers of history,” she added.

Also present at the forum was Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) who provided updates on the clamor to end contractualization or ENDO,  and the call to raise the salaries of workers and employees both from the private and public sector. He said that even though President Duterte has already declared an order to end contractualization, the workers and people should continue to act towards these goals and to assert their rights; contractualization has been ongoing for many decades now and is deeply entrenched in the system.

The forum ended with an open forum between the guest speakers and the employees from different government agencies. ###