DIFFERENT sectors joined the PEOPLE’S SONA at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Saturday, July 20, 2024.
Among those expressing their grievances against the Marcos administration was the professional sector, led by Butch Baliao from the Architects of the 80s group.
They criticized the Marcos administration for prioritizing spending on unnecessary infrastructure projects over addressing the food security of the Philippines.
“The President is of the upper class and his wife is a New Yorker. He prioritized improving Malacañang.”
“At Clark Air Base, near Clark International Airport, they are building a stadium ready for “Why is there no money for ensuring food security for our nation?”
“Why spend on structures with no real value when we need to lower the prices of rice and other goods?” according to Butch Baliao, Professional Sector.
Baliao also called on BBM to step down if he cannot lower the soaring cost of goods.
“The Department of Agriculture is requesting funds for machinery and post-harvest facilities. Their answer? “We don’t have money”.
“No money, but there’s money for luxury.”
“President Marcos, if you can’t lower the prices of goods, you should step down,” Baliao added.
In the end, Baliao hopes that BBM would listen to the grievances of Filipinos.
Otherwise, he warned that the outcry would continue until the President addresses the demands of Filipinos.
‘Full of lies’ labor sector criticizes PBBM’s third SONA
Meanwhile, the labor sector, represented by Ed Laurencio, Secretary General of the Association of Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO), also spoke at the PEOPLE’S SONA.
According to Laurencio, the PEOPLE’S SONA represents the true voice of the Filipino people.
He called BBM’s SONA as nothing but lies.
Laurencio also underscored the difficulties faced by workers and criticized the administration’s handling of labor issues.
“Workers have long been suffering due to the inadequacies of this government, particularly the Department of Labor and Employment!”
“DO 174 is a curse to workers!” Ed Laurencio, Sec. Gen., Assoc. of Genuine Labor Organizations said.
Laurencio also criticized the minimal 35-peso wage increase in the National Capital Region.
“Will he be proud of the P35 wage increase in NCR? It’s insufficient. How much does rice cost? It costs up to P70 pesos,” Laurencio added.
Muslim sector calls on government for BARMM programs under BBM admin
Meanwhile, Mus Lidasan from the Muslim sector called for the development and implementation of government programs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Lidasan, was formerly a commissioner under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and a key figure in drafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
“We work hard for the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law. We united Muslims, Christians, Indigenous Peoples, and traditional families in support of RA 11054.”
“And not just that, we also united major families— major clans in Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, and Lanao,” Mus Lidasan, Muslim Sector said.
Lidasan shared that, during that period, vertical conflicts, or government versus rebels, decreased.
But now, Lidasan revealed the true situation of the Muslim sector of the country.
He said horizontal conflicts, which refer to family feuds, neighborhood disputes, and conflicts among Muslims, have increased.
“According to PNP-BARMM reports, almost 1.5 killings have occurred daily from 2023 to now. Our question to the administration is: What are you doing to resolve these horizontal conflicts?” Lidasan added.
As a result, many Muslims continue to suffer and fear ongoing conflict and violence.
“So we, the Muslim sectors of the Maisug calls in developing and implementing government programs in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and also to Maguindanao that shall respond to social coercion,” Lidasan added.
