Monday, December 2, 2024

Passage of Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy bill—mothers and teenagers’ Christmas wish

 

A group of mothers and youth called on the Senate to pass the proposed bill on Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) as a “Christmas gift.” Women’s groups and reproductive health advocates trooped to the Senate last Tuesday morning to kick off the 18-day campaign to end violence against women and children (VAWC) as well as call for the passage of the PAP bill. They expressed support to Senator Rise Hontiveros who is the main sponsor of the PAP bill and is head of the committee on women and children. 

 

“All we want for Christmas is a PAP. For youth to enjoy the holidays and not be burdened by teenage pregnancy,” stated Judy Ann Miranda, secretary general of Partido Manggagawa (PM). Aside from PM Women’s Committee, members of PM-Kabataan and Tara Kabataan, a Manila-based youth organization, also attended the Senate mobilization.

 

Dressed in Christmas-themed costumes and carrying lanterns with holiday wishes and creative Christmas ornaments, the mothers and youth sang Christmas carols but with lyrics modified to suit their demand against VAWC and for the passage of PAP.

 

The issue of early pregnancy has long been a concern for Filipino youth, especially those aged 10-19 years. According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2021, 10 percent of the total number of births in the country were from young mothers. Despite existing programs aimed at reducing this incidence, the numbers of early pregnancies remain high, significantly impacting the youth in terms of their health, education, future, as well as the economy and society.

 

“It is clear that early pregnancy poses severe challenges. Many young mothers are forced to stop their education due to the discrimination they face—not only in schools but also on social media and even from healthcare workers. Furthermore, early pregnancies pose health risks to these young individuals, including complications during pregnancy, repeat pregnancies, and lack of access to affordable and humane health services. There is also a lack of knowledge regarding sexuality, reproductive health, and the concept of consent, which puts the youth at risk of abusive relationships and coercive sexual encounters. In fact, most cases of adolescent pregnancy are a result of statutory rape—clearly a form of violence against children,” stated Eunice Santiago, an advocate from Tara Kabataan and PM Kabataan.

 

She added that “Thus, this issue is not merely due to young people's flirtations or impulsiveness but is a social issue that requires collective action from families, schools, the government, and the entire community. The PAP Bill aims to protect the youth against early pregnancy and ensure that adequate support is provided for young parents.”

 

Some key objectives of this bill include:

 

1.      Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE): This educates individuals about sexuality, reproductive health, consent, and respect for the body in a way that is age- and culturally appropriate. It aims to guide the youth to avoid early pregnancies by providing them with formal and accurate information regarding sex and their sexuality.

 

2.      Social Protection Services: This includes maternal health services, home-based schooling, PhilHealth coverage, counseling, and other services that can help young parents recover and address the stigma or discrimination they face.

 

3.      Access to Reproductive Health Services: The PAP Bill ensures that youth aged 16-18 will have direct access to information and health services, along with guidance from health workers.

 

 Currently, the PAP Bill has garnered sufficient support but still needs to be prioritized in the agenda to complete the interpellation process and proceed to a vote in the Senate.

 

“This is the right time to unite and strengthen the call for the passage of this law. This law is not just for young parents but also aims to protect Filipino youth from violence. The PAP Bill is a crucial step towards promoting the rights of youth and women. Through this, we ensure proper information, support, and protection for their bodies, sexuality, and future. It is time to encourage our lawmakers to prioritize the welfare of the youth and women. Let us collectively advocate for a humane, safe, and just society. Let’s support the PAP Bill—a gift of unity and responsibility for the future of youth and women!” Santiago ended. 

Photos of the Senate rally for PAP can be accessed here:

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0274aNweXzu24HSzJ8wUFqshia2b1tEPSmLVSomKYuNsA7fKVFfttEoB3s9pmdGRUQl

 

https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa/posts/pfbid0376RzysU1FXBycwHFyL7MwMagKbsgoAPv4eE1wK173TYFVkuhKZiyKoeUtZ4yJDQFl

Press Release

December 2, 2024

Partido Manggagawa Kabataan, Tara Kabataan

Sunday, December 1, 2024

End endo jobs and political dynasties—workers’ Christmas wishes


 

In the Bonifacio Day rally yesterday across the country, workers aired their grievances as well as holiday wishes. “All we want for Christmas are an end to endo jobs and political dynasties, P150 wage hike and the enactment of the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (PAP) bill,” demanded Judy Miranda, secretary general of the militant group Partido Manggagawa (PM).

 

Amid intense political infighting between the camps of President Bong Bong Marcos Jr. and Vice Sara Duterte, PM stated that workers choose no sides and will not join any “fake people power.” “The House of Labor does not support either the House of Polvoron or House of Fentanyl, both of which are merely interested in retaining political power for its own sake. In contrast, the House of Labor demands social justice and social change,” explained Miranda.

 

Members of PM joined the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition mobilization that assembled in front of Ramon Magsaysay High School in Espana, Manila this morning. The workers then marched to Mendiola at about 9 AM for a program that lasted until 12 noon.

 

PM also held rallies in Cebu City and Bacolod City. In Cebu, PM members marched around the city and held a program at Metro Gaisano in Colon St. In Bacolod, farm workers and women’s groups affiliated to PM launched an indoor gathering and later a march to the public plaza.

 

The nationwide commemoration of Bonifacio Day by PM and Nagkaisa raised the call for ending endo jobs, low wages, political dynasties and teenage pregnancy. “The dominance of political dynasties is a key factor in the mass poverty and economic underdevelopment of the country. In the coming 2025 elections, we see the perverse evolution of fat dynasties into obese ones and the almost total capture of the partylist system—which was meant for representation by workers and other marginalized sectors—by power-hungry trapos. I-endo ang dynasties ng mga trapo hindi ang trabaho!” asserted Miranda.

 

She added that “If Bonifacio were alive today, he would lead the Katipunan in a fight to end political dynasties as a pathway for true independence and real development.” Miranda pointed to stark contrast between the inaction of the House of Representatives on the P150 wage hike bill and its fixation on Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war and Sara Duterte’s confidential funds. “Of course, we want Digong to be held accountable for the murder of alleged drug users and Inday Sara for her plunder of people’s money. But we know that Congress is motivated by factional infighting not good governance. And that is why Congress is deadma to proposed reforms favorable to workers,” Miranda elaborated.

 

Other demands highlighted by PM in the Bonifacio Day commemoration is the passage of the PAP bill, which was recently passed by the House of Representatives. “We are calling on the Senate to pass its version of the PAP bill so that the youth can enjoy the holidays and not be burdened by teenage pregnancy,” Miranda concluded. ###

 

Photos of the Bonifacio Day rally can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/partidomanggagawa

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Workers commemorate Bonifacio Day with call to “endo” political dynasties


Amid intense political infighting between the camps of President Bong Bong Marcos Jr. and Vice Sara Duterte, the militant group Partido Manggagawa (PM) stated that workers choose no sides and will not join any “fake people power.” “The House of Labor does not support either the House of Polvoron or House of Fentanyl, both of which are merely interested in retaining political power for its own sake. In contrast, the House of Labor demands social justice and social change,” explained Judy Miranda, PM secretary general.

 

Members of PM joined the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition mobilization that assembled in front of Ramon Magsaysay High School in Espana, Manila this morning. The workers then marched to Mendiola at about 9 AM for a program that lasted until 12 noon.

 

PM also held rallies in Cebu City and Bacolod City. In Cebu, PM members marched around the city and held a program at Metro Gaisano in Colon St. In Bacolod, farm workers and women’s groups affiliated to PM launched an indoor gathering and later a march to the public plaza.

 

The nationwide commemoration of Bonifacio Day by PM and Nagkaisa raised the call for ending endo jobs, low wages and political dynasties. “The dominance of political dynasties is a key factor in the mass poverty and economic underdevelopment of the country. In the coming 2025 elections, we see the perverse evolution of fat dynasties into obese ones and the almost total capture of the partylist system—which was meant for representation by workers and other marginalized sectors—by power-hungry trapos. I-endo ang dynasties ng mga trapo hindi ang trabaho!” asserted Miranda.

 

She added that “If Bonifacio were alive today, he would lead the Katipunan in a fight to end political dynasties as a pathway for true independence and real development.” Miranda pointed to stark contrast between the inaction of the House of Representatives on the P150 wage hike bill and its fixation on Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war and Sara Duterte’s confidential funds. “Of course, we want Digong to be held accountable for the murder of alleged drug users and Inday Sara for her plunder of people’s money. But we know that Congress is motivated by factional infighting not good governance. And that is why Congress is deadma to proposed reforms favorable to workers,” Miranda elaborated.

 

Other demands highlighted by PM in the Bonifacio Day commemoration are Palestine solidarity and climate justice. “Stop the genocide in Palestine and arrest Banjamin Netanyahu. Robust not token funding by the Global North for climate mitigation and adaptation in the Global South which is bearing the brunt of climate change. These are our Christmas wishes,” Miranda concluded. ###

Friday, November 29, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY: BONIFACIO DAY PROTEST

 MEDIA ADVISORY

29 November 2024

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

 

REQUEST FOR COVERAGE

BONIFACIO DAY PROTEST

 

When: November 30, 2024

Time: 8:00 AM Assembly Time Along Espana - Magsaysay High School. Will march to Mendiola between 9-10 AM

—————————

Workers to press for wage hike, end to endo and political dynasties.

 

Workers’ rallies will also be held in Cebu City and Bacolod City

 

SAHOD ITAAS

P150 PATAAS!

 

DINASTIYA ANG DAPAT I-ENDO HINDI ANG MANGGAGAWANG PILIPINO!

—————————

For inquiries you may contact

Ms. Ruby @ +63 917 638 0247

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Workers to march on Bonifacio Day to press for wage hike, end to endo and political dynasties

 


Members of the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition will stage a protest march from EspaƱa to Mendiola on Bonifacio Day, November 30, to demand government action on pressing labor issues. The coalition is calling for:

 

- A legislated wage hike of ₱150 or more and the abolition of provincial rates to help workers cope with inflation and the intensifying cost of living crisis.

- The abolition of endo (contractualization) in both private and public sectors.

- An end to violence against women as part of broader reforms for social justice.

 

The protest highlights frustrations over the lack of government attention to labor’s pressing issues. Despite the urgency of a wage hike, the Labor Committee in Congress has stopped deliberating on the matter since May. Senators on their part has passed the ₱100 wage hike bill in February.

 

In contrast, the Quadcom which was organized only in August by Speaker Romualdez has been conducting marathon hearings to investigate the Dutertes’ deadly war on drugs and illegal use of confidential funds.

 

Neglect of labor issues

 

While exacting accountability from the past administration is a good agenda to pursue, labor leaders insisted that sidelining key labor reforms, such as legislating wage hike and ending the scourge of labor contractualization, is perpetuating a state of national calamity. They pointed to the lack of leadership from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, noting that their action could push forward legislation to address workers’ demands.

 

"Workers are tired of being shortchanged by regional wage boards while Congress and MalacaƱang remain silent on their struggles," the coalition said.

 

Labor and calamities

 

The coalition also emphasized the compounding effects of recent typhoons, which have devastated communities across the country. Many workers, already struggling with low wages, are unprepared to recover from these disasters.

 

"This situation reflects decades of government neglect and the self-serving priorities of political dynasties,” echoing Bonifacio's belief that there can be no ‘kaginhawahan’ without ‘kalayaan’ from this kind of rule. Nagkaisa said this also includes freedom of women from violence and exploitation.

 

End political dynasties

 

The coalition argued that both the blending and warring political dynasties are importunate barrier to genuine progress for Filipino workers. "These dynasties are a calamity in themselves. Ang dynasty ang dapat i-endo hindi ang manggagawang Pilipino," the group concluded.

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

27 November 2024