Militant groups hold Labor Day rallies

By Mar S. Arguelles

Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, members of militant groups numbering to hundreds took the streets in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur and Sorsogon by staging simultaneous protest actions in observance of this year’s Labor Day.

Protesters from the labor, women, farmers, youth, and transport groups demanded from the government to extend more financial assistance to hundreds of the region’s workers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic, Vince Casilihan, Bayan Bicol spokesperson said.

Casilihan, in a phone interview on Saturday, May 1, said the militant groups were pressing for P10,000 financial assistance to be given to workers that were out of jobs due to the government implementation of lockdowns and P15,000 production subsidy to farmers affected by the typhoons, African Swine Fever (ASF) and farm infestations.

The groups also asked the government to assist by way of financial subsidies workers from the micro, small and medium enterprises.

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), other militant groups from the labor, women, teachers, farmers, youth, and transport sectors held march rallies at the main street of Panganiban Drive in Naga City and was followed by a protest concert at Plaza Rizal with colorful streamers with the theme “Makibaka para sa kalusugan, kabuhayan, karapatan at kasarinlan!

In Legazpi City aside from the protest rally at the Peñarada Park in Albay District, activist held a community pantry in Barangays Rizal and San Roque.

Similar community pantries were also held in Barangay Anoling in Camalig, Barangay Sto Cristo in Tabaco City, and in Ligao City, where vegetables, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, and coffee were provided.