MEMBERS of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Southern Mindanao staged a protest at Freedom Park here on Tuesday, Feb. 25, to commemorate the 38th anniversary of the EDSA People Power uprising.
Rauf Sissay, Bayan Southern Mindanao secretariat member, said the annual commemoration of the people power uprising reflects the need for a change to benefit all Filipinos.
The protest also called on legislators and government officials to prioritize salary increases, genuine land reforms, protection for women and children, and justice for political prisoners.
They also denounced the corruption of the Marcos and Duterte regimes, their lack of transparency to the public, and their negligence of the Filipinos’ needs when it comes to livable wages and health services.
It reiterated the P481 regional daily minimum wage would not suffice the needs of a family and emphasized a P1200 living wage.
“Tungod sa panag-away away sa mga dagkong pulitiko, wala pa gihapon nisaka ang sweldo sa atong mamumuo, wala pa nakab-ot ang family living wage, wala pa gihapon na-regular ang mga trabahante sa pampubliko o pampribadong sektor,” he said.
The group also condemned alleged human rights violations against leftists and labor organizers including but not limited to the forced disappearance of William Lariosa, who has not surfaced in nearly a year.
“Pinaagi sa paglihok sa mga aktibista, organisador ug nakahiusang katahan, nasinati nato atong mga katungod sa edukasyon, pagboto, makatrabaho og disente, ug uban pang aspirasyon sa mga katawhan,” Sissay said.
Cobbie Jan Canda, Kabataan Party-list regional coordinator, emphasized the involvement of the youth in remembering the EDSA is crucial in the mobilization of calls for pro-poor policies.
“Importante nga dili nato siya kalimtan kay of course, kana siya isa sa pinaka madugo nga parte sa atong kasaysayan, importante nga mahinumdoman para di na mausab,” Canda stressed.
He added that as long as there is unity, people’s power can change contemporary issues “deemed impossible” to be resolved.
This year’s EDSA anniversary falls on a Tuesday but the Palace declared it a special working holiday for the second consecutive year.
