Down with war! Down with exploitation!

Group slams DOLE intervention to stop strike at power plant

The group Partido Manggagawa slammed the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for imposing an assumption of jurisdiction (AJ) order that stopped the union at the KEPCO (Korea Electric Power Corporation) Cebu coal power plant from staging a work stoppage. The union has been deadlocked in its collective bargaining (CB) negotiations with the company.

 

“The DOLE’s AJ is favorable to the company as it prevents workers from exercising leverage to achieve its reasonable demands. Moreso, DOLE violated its own DO 40-H-13 in imposing an AJ without the following the required procedure. Both KEPCO and DOLE are pasaway (misbehaving) labor relations actors!,” stated Dennis Derige, union organizer of SENTRO and spokesperson for the PM chapter in Cebu.

 

The KEPCO union is an affiliate of SENTRO and its members voted overwhelmingly for a strike, as required by law. DOLE’s AJ was handed down on the eve of the planned strike . “Since the union could not legally go on strike, KEPCO remains hardline in its bargaining position as it felt relieved of the pressure of an impending work stoppage,” Derige added.

 

The deadlocked CB provisions included wage increase, medical allowance, signing bonus, union security, grievance procedures, agency fees and the formation of a just transition committee composed of the union and management.

 

Derige explained that “None of the union’s economic and political demands are controversial or excessive. In fact, the union has shown flexibility by reducing its initial demands. But KEPCO—despite being stable and profitable—has been intransigent and just disrespects the union.”

 

He added that DOLE DO 40-H-13 requires that an AJ can only be ordered if either both parties requested for an AJ or the DOLE first called for a conference of the two parties prior to the issuance of the AJ. Derige said that neither of these two conditions were satisfied.

 

According to latest information posted on the National Conciliation and Mediation Board’s website, the DOLE has already issued three AJ’s as of February this year. In comparison seven AJs were imposed for the whole year of 2024. The Philippine government has been the subject of complaints to the International Labour Organization for its indiscriminate use of AJs that results in the effective prohibition of the right to strike, aside from the killings of trade unionists and other forms of repression of the freedom to unionize.

April 4, 2025

Women to picket Agri Dept tomorrow

Media Advisory

World March of Women - Pilipinas

 

Join us tomorrow, at 8-10AM, in front of the Department of Agriculture at Elliptical Road to resist corporate encroachment of our natural resources.

 

As women globally march on International Women's Day (IWD) against wars and corporate capitalism, so do we World March of Women - Pilipinas. On the eve of IWD, we troop to the Department of Agriculture to protest the Supreme Court First Division's resolution allowing commercial fishing inside the 15-kilometer municipal fishing zone.

 

When this becomes final and executory, women fishers and their families will starve and will be displaced by lack of harvests and will be vulnerable to all forms of exploitation.

 

The women will wear makeshift boats and pitch tents to represent displacement from capitalist exploitation.

 

Contact Person: Jean Enriquez 09778105326

Defend CSE holds mobilizations in Mendiola and Cebu for passage of Teen Pregnancy Prevention bill

Today the Defend CSE network united in a powerful demonstration in Mendiola and Cebu of solidarity, sending a clear and resolute message to legislators: support Senate Bill 1979 and accelerate the nationwide implementation of CSE. This critical piece of legislation aims to fortify adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) initiatives that are under threat by misinformation campaigns.

 

“We believe that CSE is not a threat, but a right,” said Judy Ann Miranda, a leading figure in Defend CSE and secretary general of the labor group Partido Manggagawa. She added that “This is not just about passing laws, it’s about ensuring every young person has the right to accurate, responsible, and empowering education.”

  

Defend CSE, a broad network of civil society organizations (CSOs), advocates, and stakeholders in child rights, youth development, women’s rights, health, and education, stands united in its unwavering commitment to defend Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in the Philippines.

 

“We must continue to safeguard the work of educators, policymakers, and those championing CSE in the Department of Education,” stated Miranda. She pointed out that “Fear-mongering and misinformation must not be allowed to erase the progress we’ve made in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights for young people.”

 

In celebration of Valentine’s month, Defend CSE expresses its heartfelt gratitude to the countless advocates, legislators, families, educators, and other stakeholders who have stood strong in the fight to protect young people’s rights to accurate and empowering education. Despite the continued efforts of opposition groups to undermine CSE through fear-mongering and disinformation, Defend CSE reaffirms that these divisive tactics have no place in a dialogue built on love and care for the well-being of children and youth.

 

CSE is a vital tool for protecting young people from real risks such as gender-based violence, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections. It empowers youth with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and future. By equipping young people with comprehensive, developmentally-appropriate, and culturally-sensitive education, CSE ensures they can build safe, healthy, and respectful lives.

 

The Defend CSE movement calls for continued advocacy and action to protect CSE against all forms of distortion and opposition. As they rally for the passage and effective implementation of Senate Bill 1979, they pledge to fight for the rights of young people and ensure CSE remains a key element of the country’s education system.

 

Defend CSE remains committed to working alongside policymakers to ensure that sexual and reproductive health education continues to be a pillar of youth empowerment, human rights, and public health in the Philippines.

 

Photos of the Mendiola and Cebu rallies today can be accessed at FB: Partido Manggagawa

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About Defend CSE

Defend CSE is a collective network of civil society organizations, advocates, and stakeholders dedicated to defending the rights of young people to access comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). The movement is committed to advocating for youth empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, and education policies that prioritize the well-being of future generations.

 

Press Release

February 5, 2025

Defend CSE

Nagkaisa calls on workers to up the pressure on pending wage hike bills in Congress

 

The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition on Wednesday urged workers to keep up the pressure on both the Labor Committee and their respective district representatives, demanding swift action on the long-pending P150 wage hike bill before Congress adjourns sine die next week in preparation for the 2025 national and local elections.

 

The group issued the call as it welcomes the commitment made by House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a meeting with labor leaders to act on the pending wage hike bills.

 

Affirmatively the labor committee has calendared a public hearing on Thursday, January 30, to wrap up its deliberations on the wage hike proposals.

 

Nagkaisa said the P150 wage hike bill has been stalled in the Labor Committee since March 2024, while wage orders from regional boards remain insufficient against the ever-increasing cost of living.

 

The coalition stressed the urgency of the situation, urging Congress and Malacañang not to delay further action. “We cannot afford to wait any longer. With every passing day, the value of our wages continues to diminish as inflation continues to rise,” the statement said.

 

With less than a week left in the 19th Congress’ session before the long election break, labor groups remain hopeful that the wage hike bill may still beat the red light.

PRESS RELEASE

Nagkaisa Labor Coalition

29 January 2025