October
Dialogue of Life among Church People and Workers in Cordillera
To give flesh to the commitment for a continued dialogue and strengthened solidarity between the church people and workers, the Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS), Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER), Cordillera Ecumenical Movement for Action and Transformation (CEMAT), and North Luzon Jurisdictional Area of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (NLJA-UCCP) joined hands to sponsor and facilitate a genuine dialogue between the church people and workers of Cordillera with the end view of coming-up with a plan of action that would respond to the needs and calls of the workers in Cordillera.
After barely two months of preparation, the sponsor organizations held the Dialogue of Life among the Church People and Workers in Cordillera last Oct. 1, 2013 at the Little Flower Retreat House, #13 Villamor St. Luwalhati Barangay, Baguio City. It was attended by 65 people from different religious congregations, unions, and advocacy groups in the Cordillera region. The Dialogue of Life was notably the first of its kind held in the Cordillera region.
To give flesh to the commitment for a continued dialogue and strengthened solidarity between the church people and workers, the Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS), Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research (EILER), Cordillera Ecumenical Movement for Action and Transformation (CEMAT), and North Luzon Jurisdictional Area of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (NLJA-UCCP) joined hands to sponsor and facilitate a genuine dialogue between the church people and workers of Cordillera with the end view of coming-up with a plan of action that would respond to the needs and calls of the workers in Cordillera.
After barely two months of preparation, the sponsor organizations held the Dialogue of Life among the Church People and Workers in Cordillera last Oct. 1, 2013 at the Little Flower Retreat House, #13 Villamor St. Luwalhati Barangay, Baguio City. It was attended by 65 people from different religious congregations, unions, and advocacy groups in the Cordillera region. The Dialogue of Life was notably the first of its kind held in the Cordillera region.
September
Education and Training Program of CWS
The Labor Ministry of Kalookan and CWS sponsored an Initial Introduction on the Issues of Labor last Sept 28, 2013 at San Bartolome Parish, Malabon City.
It was attended by 48 participants (27 are Labor Ministry Coordinators), volunteers from different parishes from the Vicariate of San Bartolome namely Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, San Pracasio Parish, St. Joseph the Workman Parish, San Roque Cathedral Parish, Sto. Rosario Parish, Heart of Jesus and Mary Parish, San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, San Jose de Agudo Parish, Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish and San Bartolome Parish. It was facilitated by Fr. Ricardo Torrefiel and Fr. Joel Sabijon, Coordinator of the Labor Ministry of Diocese of Kalookan. The program started with a liturgical dance of the youths from the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish followed by opening remarks from Fr. Ricardo Torrefiel. Fr. Joel gave a historical background of the Labor Ministry of Kalookan. Other inputs were given by Melona Daclan of Defend Job Philippines (DJP) and Atty. Remigio Saladero of Pro Labor Assistance Center (PLACE).
Church People-Workers Caucus
A Church People-Workers Caucus was held last September 14, 2013 at Blue Star Union picket line, RMT Compound, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. Blue Star is the manufacturer of Advan Shoe which includes school shoes, boots and sandals. Spearheaded by Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) and Defend Job Philippines (DJP) at the said caucus discussed the workers’ rights and the issue of contractualization. There was also a discussion on corruption and pork barrel. The caucus was attended by forty workers from Advan, two from Kilusang Mayo Uno National and CWS Secretariat. Also present was Sr. Emma Tusi from Congregation of Saint John the Baptist (CSSJB). The church people challenged and encouraged the Advan workers to unite and persevere in their struggle. Concrete plan of actions were also formulated .
The Labor Ministry of Kalookan and CWS sponsored an Initial Introduction on the Issues of Labor last Sept 28, 2013 at San Bartolome Parish, Malabon City.
It was attended by 48 participants (27 are Labor Ministry Coordinators), volunteers from different parishes from the Vicariate of San Bartolome namely Shrine of Our Lady of Grace, San Pracasio Parish, St. Joseph the Workman Parish, San Roque Cathedral Parish, Sto. Rosario Parish, Heart of Jesus and Mary Parish, San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish, San Jose de Agudo Parish, Immaculate Concepcion Parish, Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish and San Bartolome Parish. It was facilitated by Fr. Ricardo Torrefiel and Fr. Joel Sabijon, Coordinator of the Labor Ministry of Diocese of Kalookan. The program started with a liturgical dance of the youths from the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Parish followed by opening remarks from Fr. Ricardo Torrefiel. Fr. Joel gave a historical background of the Labor Ministry of Kalookan. Other inputs were given by Melona Daclan of Defend Job Philippines (DJP) and Atty. Remigio Saladero of Pro Labor Assistance Center (PLACE).
Church People-Workers Caucus
A Church People-Workers Caucus was held last September 14, 2013 at Blue Star Union picket line, RMT Compound, Tunasan, Muntinlupa City. Blue Star is the manufacturer of Advan Shoe which includes school shoes, boots and sandals. Spearheaded by Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) and Defend Job Philippines (DJP) at the said caucus discussed the workers’ rights and the issue of contractualization. There was also a discussion on corruption and pork barrel. The caucus was attended by forty workers from Advan, two from Kilusang Mayo Uno National and CWS Secretariat. Also present was Sr. Emma Tusi from Congregation of Saint John the Baptist (CSSJB). The church people challenged and encouraged the Advan workers to unite and persevere in their struggle. Concrete plan of actions were also formulated .
August
Relief Operations at Parañaque City
A relief operation for more than three hundred families was held last August 24 to “floating communities” of freedom island in Brgy. La Huerta in Paranaque. Most of the residents who received relief goods were fisherfolks and pedicab drivers who were members of Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Paranaque and Samahan ng Mandaragat Kinabukasan at Pag-asa. The relief operation was led by Church People-workers Solidarity and Defend Jobs Philippines. The relief goods came from the generosity of National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Sto. Domingo Church and Philippine Normal University (PNU) Office of the Campus Ministry led by Sr. Emie Ighot, MMB. Sr. Rosa of the Mercedarian Sisters along with two students from PNU Office of the Campus Ministry also assisted in the relief operation.
A relief operation for more than three hundred families was held last August 24 to “floating communities” of freedom island in Brgy. La Huerta in Paranaque. Most of the residents who received relief goods were fisherfolks and pedicab drivers who were members of Kalipunan ng mga Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Paranaque and Samahan ng Mandaragat Kinabukasan at Pag-asa. The relief operation was led by Church People-workers Solidarity and Defend Jobs Philippines. The relief goods came from the generosity of National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), Sto. Domingo Church and Philippine Normal University (PNU) Office of the Campus Ministry led by Sr. Emie Ighot, MMB. Sr. Rosa of the Mercedarian Sisters along with two students from PNU Office of the Campus Ministry also assisted in the relief operation.
July
Exposure Program for Asia Pacific Students and Youth Gathering
Thirteen foreign delegates from the Asia Pacific Students and Youth Gathering (ASYG) had a two-day exposure/immersion program and community visit at the Pentagon Steel Corporation. The delegates were composed of young people from different countries: four Indonesians, one Malaysian, one Indian, one Taiwanese and five from the Philippines. The main aim of the ASYG is “to nurture and sharpen the creative skills, theology and spirituality of the youth leaders and students who are actively involved to strengthen, revitalize and mobilize grassroots ecumenical movement.” The program started with a sharing on the situation of Pentagon workers by Jericho Canciller, union president. This was followed by a brief discussion on the national situation of workers by Mr. Raymond Aceňa, union president of Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). The delegates then visited the eight families of Pentagon workers in the community which was followed by sharing of experience and reflections. The program ended with a cultural night at the picket line.
Forum on Aquino's State of the Nation Address (SONA)
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) and the Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) conducted a forum on the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pnoy. The forum entitled “Inclusive Growth ni Pnoy, Kasama Ka Ba?” was held at Culmat Bldg, E. Rogriguez Ave., Quezon City last July 31, 2013. The forum focused on a critical evaluation and assessment of the Pnoy's SONA in the light of the deepening and worsening poverty of the Filipinos. It was attended by more than fifty individuals from various groups from the basic sectors: workes, farmers, urban poor and from human rights workers and church people. Each sector expressed their real conditions which reflect a stark contrast to what Pnoy delivered in his speech.
CWS-PCPR Pentagon Visit
As part of the continuing support of church people to Pentagon Workers, CWS together with Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR), Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum (EBF), Iglesia Filipina Indipendiente (IFI), Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas, brothers from the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ), a nun from Sisters of Sion and pastors from the United Methodist Church visited the picket line last July 27, 2013. The visit was graced by the presence of Rev. Marta Benavides , a pastor from El Salvador .
A short program was held at the picket line which highlighted various solidarity messages from church people most especially from Rev. Marta Benavides and Pastor Sol Villalon of UMC. Cultural presentations were also performed by the various church organizations.
Eucharistic Celebration at Pentagon Steel Picket line
Last July 19, 2013 at around 3:00PM, a Mass was held at Pentagon Steel Corporation. The mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Rudy Abao, MSC , one of the convenors of National Clergy Discernment Group (NCDG). The mass was attended by CWS staff and representatives from the Labor Ministry of the Diocese of Novaliches. This was in response to the call from CWS to the church-people to visit and hold liturgical celebrations at Pentagon Steel as a show of support and solidarity to the workers. After the mass, Fr. Rudy blessed the spot where a security guard died after being ran over by a truck carrying products from Pentagon Steel.
CWS School Supplies Giving
As part of the Church People-Workers Solidarity( CWS) Networking , Welfare and Service program, the CWS together with Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) distributed school supplies to the children of workers who recently lost their jobs due to contractualization namely workers from Pentagon Steel Corporation, Bluestar Labor Union in Tunasan, Muntinlupa, L.C.E. Workers union in Pasig and Eton. This was done last July 15, 2013, in Apolonio Samson Elementary School, Quezon City. A total of 99 school children benefited from this program.
Film Showing on Migrant Workers
In the recently held CBCP Plenary Council Meeting last July 7, 2013 at Pope Pius XII Session Hall in United Nations Avenue, Manila, twenty-eight bishops watched an indie film entitled “Migrante, The Filipino Diaspora”. The film touches on the concrete conditions of our OFW brothers and sisters. The film stars Jodie Sta. Maria and Allen Dizon, directed by Joel Lamagan and written by Bonifacio Ilagan. The film-showing was initiated by Xiti Production, Church People-Workers Solidarity-National Capital Region (CWS-NCR) and Defend Job Philippines (DJP). Prior to the film showing, a short introduction about CWS and an input about the conditions of OFW workers was given by Gary Martinez of Migrante International. The bishops gave favourable feedbacks on the film. They also expressed interest in showing the said film in their own Dioceses.
Thirteen foreign delegates from the Asia Pacific Students and Youth Gathering (ASYG) had a two-day exposure/immersion program and community visit at the Pentagon Steel Corporation. The delegates were composed of young people from different countries: four Indonesians, one Malaysian, one Indian, one Taiwanese and five from the Philippines. The main aim of the ASYG is “to nurture and sharpen the creative skills, theology and spirituality of the youth leaders and students who are actively involved to strengthen, revitalize and mobilize grassroots ecumenical movement.” The program started with a sharing on the situation of Pentagon workers by Jericho Canciller, union president. This was followed by a brief discussion on the national situation of workers by Mr. Raymond Aceňa, union president of Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). The delegates then visited the eight families of Pentagon workers in the community which was followed by sharing of experience and reflections. The program ended with a cultural night at the picket line.
Forum on Aquino's State of the Nation Address (SONA)
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) and the Church People-Workers Solidarity (CWS) conducted a forum on the recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pnoy. The forum entitled “Inclusive Growth ni Pnoy, Kasama Ka Ba?” was held at Culmat Bldg, E. Rogriguez Ave., Quezon City last July 31, 2013. The forum focused on a critical evaluation and assessment of the Pnoy's SONA in the light of the deepening and worsening poverty of the Filipinos. It was attended by more than fifty individuals from various groups from the basic sectors: workes, farmers, urban poor and from human rights workers and church people. Each sector expressed their real conditions which reflect a stark contrast to what Pnoy delivered in his speech.
CWS-PCPR Pentagon Visit
As part of the continuing support of church people to Pentagon Workers, CWS together with Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR), Ecumenical Bishops’ Forum (EBF), Iglesia Filipina Indipendiente (IFI), Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas, brothers from the Missionaries of Jesus (MJ), a nun from Sisters of Sion and pastors from the United Methodist Church visited the picket line last July 27, 2013. The visit was graced by the presence of Rev. Marta Benavides , a pastor from El Salvador .
A short program was held at the picket line which highlighted various solidarity messages from church people most especially from Rev. Marta Benavides and Pastor Sol Villalon of UMC. Cultural presentations were also performed by the various church organizations.
Eucharistic Celebration at Pentagon Steel Picket line
Last July 19, 2013 at around 3:00PM, a Mass was held at Pentagon Steel Corporation. The mass was presided by Rev. Fr. Rudy Abao, MSC , one of the convenors of National Clergy Discernment Group (NCDG). The mass was attended by CWS staff and representatives from the Labor Ministry of the Diocese of Novaliches. This was in response to the call from CWS to the church-people to visit and hold liturgical celebrations at Pentagon Steel as a show of support and solidarity to the workers. After the mass, Fr. Rudy blessed the spot where a security guard died after being ran over by a truck carrying products from Pentagon Steel.
CWS School Supplies Giving
As part of the Church People-Workers Solidarity( CWS) Networking , Welfare and Service program, the CWS together with Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) distributed school supplies to the children of workers who recently lost their jobs due to contractualization namely workers from Pentagon Steel Corporation, Bluestar Labor Union in Tunasan, Muntinlupa, L.C.E. Workers union in Pasig and Eton. This was done last July 15, 2013, in Apolonio Samson Elementary School, Quezon City. A total of 99 school children benefited from this program.
Film Showing on Migrant Workers
In the recently held CBCP Plenary Council Meeting last July 7, 2013 at Pope Pius XII Session Hall in United Nations Avenue, Manila, twenty-eight bishops watched an indie film entitled “Migrante, The Filipino Diaspora”. The film touches on the concrete conditions of our OFW brothers and sisters. The film stars Jodie Sta. Maria and Allen Dizon, directed by Joel Lamagan and written by Bonifacio Ilagan. The film-showing was initiated by Xiti Production, Church People-Workers Solidarity-National Capital Region (CWS-NCR) and Defend Job Philippines (DJP). Prior to the film showing, a short introduction about CWS and an input about the conditions of OFW workers was given by Gary Martinez of Migrante International. The bishops gave favourable feedbacks on the film. They also expressed interest in showing the said film in their own Dioceses.