"Still hopeless for the Poor folks in the Provinces"

"Still hopeless for the Poor folks in the Provinces"

(Or: "Will their return to their provinces under the present order

a glimmer of hope or a continuous despair?")

What a shallow idea this so-called "return to the province" program that's brought about by the Duterte regime.

For regardless of the presidential blessing and the support of administration-led local officials, claiming as one of the pillars for balanced development in the far-flung regions, this program cannot succeed so long as the fundamental problems of the nation affecting the poor continues to remain unresolved particularly those of agrarian reform, national industrialisation, and a genuine national social policy.

And contrary to mainline view that this program as "new", this program brought by Duterte and Senator Bong Go, through Senate Resolution 380 and Executive Order 114 is all but a rehash of earlier programs like the "Balik Barangay" program of Marcos as well as other similar programs sharing the same intent of decongesting Metropolitan Manila and other urban centers in the country. On the other side, this is one, if not the only solution that's thinking of to reduce poverty, lack of employment, and housing for the urban poor.

What a usual solution isn't it? Just as in the past, that by simply sending off the poor and fending for themselves or with minimum doleouts is the order's way of promoting development in the countryside. But despite this intent, that simple resolution brought by an administration senator isn't enough without a rigorous, scientific, and comprehensive study as well as without any consultation with stakeholders all prior to its implementation. What more that this program, aiming to have millions of urban poor folks to "return to the province" by the order is simply driven by the difficulties in providing financial support what more of controlling population especially in this COVID19 pandemic.

Apologists of the program would of course, agree to this kind of proposition given by President Duterte and Senator Go; that aside from these men are themselves coming from Davao (and therefore seeing a massive human resettlement program fit for their agenda) they think that by returning these poor folks to the provinces meant chances of restoring order in the urban while promoting development in the countryside, all despite unresolved social problems including those of COVID19.

But remember, so long as development remains less for the folk and more for the few then this kind of program, with a vision to make everyone live decently if not comfortably with their livelihood cannot guarantee. This program isn't just a simple walk in the park praising the glories of farming and rural life, but rather a forced return to "what they belong" such as facing hunger, poverty, and fear under the order; while existing problems such as landlessness, forced displacement of poor farmers and indigenous folks alike from their domains, along with "combination of backward modes of agriculture and low level industry" doesn't resolve the fundamental problem- but instead showing how this anti-poor, fund-wasting "Balik Probinsya" as a propaganda feat.

Speaking of funds and the delusions of development, Duterte and Go would of course claiming that the program isn't about relocating these poor folks alone. Of course there will be loans and assistance to those who will avail of that said program, what more that government agencies like the National Housing Authority, the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, and others will "flex their muscle" in showing these poor folks that the program is better than seeking for financial assistance especially in this time of pandemic crisis with officials trying to take pride in housing programs for the homeless, job fairs for displaced workers, or farm lots for wanting to be farmers all in exchange for resettlement in the provinces. Worse, to hear recent statements like DoLE's Bello who admitted that there are no remaining funds for the "Displaced Workers Program" therefore they have to stop issuing applications to workers who are in dire need of financial assistance.

All in all, this program will always be on the side of the order rather than the poor folks who supposed to avail of it. That alongside displacing them from their communities this meant favouring interest seekers especially those under the Build Build Build and other neoliberal programs benefiting their interests. With COVID19 continues to linger, this massive human resettlement plan rather meant an opportunity for the order to commence massive demolition in communities in order to flush out poor folks in the urban and even in the suburbia all for the programs this order has ventured upon with.

And that by placing poor folks in the provinces all for the sake of resettlement this meant cheap labour for multinationals, and hamletting for the defenders of the order as this program as also part of combating the insurgency by means of "winning hearts and minds". "Pacification by prosperity" indeed as one may think of as it attracts the poor away from their communities and in to the villages meant to control their movement with some semblance of development.

And to think that this program had been tried a number of times in the past and failed miserably due to mismanagements and politickings, it is unsurprising that if an interest seeking politico tends to hijack this program for their personal interest then it will always be a successful failure. In fact, there were some concerned politicians who even question the program especially the capacity of the provinces to accommodate those able to return, given the funds needed to sustain as such, what more from the people who also thinking that the program as also prone to corruption as what said earlier. 

Again this program may fail given the failure to address the fundamental question of land reform and rural development through industrialisation. Interest seekers, be it politico, landlord, and compradore alike may treat it as an opportunity to consolidate their interests at the expense of the poor and its aspirations for a new hope in the countryside what more of the country's desire for development.

That from its very beginnings this measure isn't really developmentalist at all, let alone an exile. For once, it was a measure during the early years of the republic whose intent was to make rebels "return to the fold of the law" guaranteeing them with a land to till, followed by landless farmers who "were all given land and create communities" enough as a showcase of the new society.

But with all these and until this present incarnation, did it end rebellion what more of poverty? Nope as one would say. The provinces, so long under the clutches of the corrupt and of the despotic, will remain the same as it was, hopeless.

Still, no concrete plan except blaming

Still, no concrete plan except blaming

It is not surprising that the regime is repeating the same message that is contrary to the much needed attention.

For as President Duterte rather vent his attention on the opposition than this ever present pandemic most people find the message as annoying if not starting to question his performance as President in this time of crisis.

And to think that the pandemic came as a surprise and a challenge for governments in various countries, Duterte, rather responded only with the narrative that he knows best- by treating it as a "peace and order" situation coupled with the brute force of the police and military. With this somehow trying to hide his feigned understanding of the situation if not his incompetent resolution-building in this matter.

From his statements he placed large parts of the country under two months of military lockdown in the name of "community quarantine" that has made people suffer intolerable conditions. While having insufficient funds for social services and instead the stubborn emphasis on security threat towards his political adversaries, as well as debt servicing for his debt-driven "development".

“This is not martial law. Don’t be scared,” Duterte said. However, the fear brought by his threat prevailed as one police official in Manila was caught on video threatening to shoot those who would be caught breaking quarantine and curfew protocols, while Barangay task force members were also seen beating a fish vendor for breaking quarantine rules, what more of mentally challenged retired military officer was shot dead at point-blank range by policemen whose alibi was that they thought he was reaching for a gun. This kind of action would say showeth how the regime's attack dogs taketh seriously their boss's statement and the pandemic as an opportunity to silence dissent.

And in speaking of silencing dissent, that through a blatant attack to free press, Duterte’s administration ordered the cease-and-desist of the operations of broadcasting corporation ABS-CBN. Duterte wouldn't had succeed this if not for his allies like Solicitor General Calida (who also behind the ouster of former Chief Justice Sereno through Quo Warranto), his cohorts in the legislature (especially Speaker Cayetano) who intentionally neglect duties pertaining to the broadcasting station and its franchise, and the hordes of supporters who used social media to intimidate artists and media personalities disagreeing with the station's closure and those who disagree with the order's policies and actions. Worse, to hear a statement a from a military officer telling "Yes to law and order! Otherwise you might just get the martial law that you deserve" to those who opposed the said shutdown.

These actions would say all ran contrary to the shameless act of NCRPO Chief Debold Sinas after being exposed throwing a party in the middle of the lockdown, drawing ire from various government and other personalities, or the quarantine breach of Senator Pimentel. These would say how impunity is evident under Duterte’s regime. His cronies and allies walk away scot-free with apologists trying to defend, while most Filipinos suffer from his grave actions.

Perhaps from these unjust actions and more, all brought by the order rather outweighs the promises to "flatten the curve", "promote inclusive development", or to "impose justice" as words like Duterte's 01 April speech ordering the military and police to shoot to kill uncooperative quarantine violators justify those moves. This and other similar presidential rants brought utter disrespect and a complete disregard human rights in favour of “stricter measures” and a bastardised version of rule of law that's rooted on fear. Apologists may still continue to justify his stances time and again, but with a still-neglected healthcare system, ever-continuing economic unrest, and a myriad of threats, violence and abuse of police/ military power this doesn't stop the folk from investigating, complaining, what more of opposing the administration and its gestures- for a growling stomach is louder than a foolish President’s echoing words.

But, unfortunately for Duterte and the order he've sworn to, this braggadocio cannot save the country from the public health problem it faces. His regime has wasted all the people’s effort as it utterly failed in its duty to ensure the people's safety such as for the government to conduct mass testing, tracing, and isolation of Covid-19 cases what more in failing to lead in the procurement of testing kits and reagents, in strengthening the machinery for mass testing and tracing, in hiring more health practitioners, and in building enough quarantine centers as well as other necessary public health measures.
And to think that with his armed thugs are still willing to justify the message of their dear leader Duterte by putting it into action, apologists will still continue to justify it as they downplay "human rights" for their leader's brand of "discipline and order", as shown by the recent events.

Hence, to cut this note short, there's no concrete agenda from the order to lessen if not to stop this pandemic, except blaming those who stood against its soiled view of "peace and order."

Through the Working Folk lies the Future

Through the working folk lies the future

At first, this writer salutes the working class on the occasion of the International Workers Day. And let this occasion celebrate the numerous contributions and struggles brought by the labouring people even in this time of pandemic crisis and the repression brought by the order.

For as the Philippines, like any other country celebrated this occasion, the laboring folk tried their best to express their grievances amidst an extra-ordinary situation with fierce lockdowns across Luzon and many parts of the country — an alleged "medical necessity" to control the spread of COVID19 and its effects. For as of April 28, 7,958 people were positively sick across the country, while 975 had survived, and 530 had died.

However, for the order, this lockdown is more than just "flattening the curve" but a basis for widespread repression be it on various organisations, or individuals whose concern for the folk includes the right to expose and oppose the unjust actions brought by the order-of trampling down civil rights, including the right for just wage and adequate medical and social care especially in this time of pandemic crisis.

And from this somehow aggravate the ever continuing tensions making the folk further assert the need for genuine social change as necessary to uplift the folk and the homeland.

Workers as most vulnerable to illness and harassments

The medical crisis brought by COVID 19 has quickly escalated into a socioeconomic one as it hits the marginalised classes at its worst. With the Duterte regime announced its "Community Quarantine" meant to flatten the curve in this pandemic situation, it hitted the workers most especially those from non-essential businesses who found themselves doing odd jobs for their families’ survival as relief assistance from the Department of Labor and Employment and from their local government units (LGUs) are frustratingly inadequate if not inaccessible.

But this situation has been weaponised by the order as means to silent those who oppose their agenda. Recent arrests of those helping the downtridden, online harassments, and threats of martial rule has made the folk worried while the administration dismissed the necessary medical measures to address the pandemic. It is the same order that disagrees the idea of mass testing or failing to make an assurance that the Department of Health has already contained the virus and its mutations, making the working class face the hard decision of foregoing work and not earning for their families, or risking contracting COVID19 and thus endangering their own households.

The order may knew about this situation, but the mismanagement of programs, of failure to address the situtions, what more of seeing a militarised agenda aggravates the problem- for Duterte is rather intent on managing the justified indignation and anger of the people more than the pandemic itself, of keeping the entire budget for his agenda more than allocating for health and social services making Local Government Units left to decide for themselves and to take the blame once things go awry for the people.

Still, the working folk carries the will to fight

Despite numerous harassments and threats, the working folk still carries the will to fight. As Duterte and his camarilla employs tried and tested fascism, he could exploit, neglect, and endanger the working class all in the same breath but nonetheless the working class, hardened by hardships, will continue to advance the struggle.

For with or without this pandemic the working class will assert further calls for real living wage, just working conditions, and an end to repression for even in this time of numerous technological achievements centuries old situations continue to prevail, what more that the order has used those to repress the folk and to consolidate their interests. Words like "Digital Transformation" has been used by the order to threaten the workers forcing to content on meagre wages and unjust conditions. What more in this pandemic crisis wherein policies like "no work no pay" has been imposed by various companies, making workers both "working at home" and those as skeletal force in the workplaces content in unlikely conditions.

Worse, most workers had to content on the insufficient aid given by the government if not forcing to work "part time" with less salary and under threat of dismissal. In Southern Tagalog, half a million workers are affected by the pandemic as factories been temporarily closed in the region.

However there are establishments wherein employees are allowed to continue operations only in limited numbers serving as a "skeletal force"; in addition, there are other factories that implement flexible work arrangements such as reducing hours or working days to comply with the enforced lockdown policy. From this situation capitalists have also taken advantage of the situation to justify illegal dismissals primarily as part of its union busting activities against progressive unions.

And according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), 99,178 in Region IV-A and 30,721 in Region IV-B were directly affected by the ongoing lockdown in Central Luzon. This is in sharp contrast to a report by the Philippine Export Zone Authority (PEZA) in which only Cavite Ecozone has lost 86,549 jobs due to the temporary closure of 309 companies in the vicinity. Also according to a report released by the Revolutionary Council of Trade Unions-Southern Tagalog (RCTU-ST), based on their near factual estimate, between 350,000-400,000 workers in CALABARZON were directly affected by the enforced lockdown.

So is the "Economic Assistance" given by the Government. Only a handful of workers have been able to provide assistance by the DOLE. According to research by the IBON Foundation, only 856,000 or 0.8% of the 10.7 million workers in the formal sector were awarded DOLE's P5,000 under the COVID19 Adjustment Measures (CAMP) while 52,000 (1%) only a total of 5.2 million non agricultural informal earners were blessed with the help of the work for pay scheme. DOLE has already admitted that they need more funding to meet the needs of Filipino workers affected by the ongoing lockdown, according to the IBON Foundation. Also according to the RCTU-ST, the cost was low and only a few workers in the South had received assistance from DOLE because of its lack of funding.

With the situation in Southern Tagalog for an example would say that the worker's situation is aggravated both by the lockdown and by the motives of scrupulous employers. As in the past, unjust wages and unfair working conditions, coupled with ever-prevailing contractualisation and outright threats of dismissals has been an issue making the working class assert further the need for decent living even despite this repressive situation, what more in this pandemic-driven crisis. The region is also the laboratory of the worst wage situation-that besides with the implementation of RA 6727 which varies with the wages of different regions, this was also the first implementation of the "two-tiered wage system" that not only regulates the national minimum wage but also reduces workers' wages in by setting two wage levels; The floor wage and incentive or productivity wage. Worse yet, the wage system varies by province, city/town and based on the development of a region such as a region.growth corridor area and emerging growth area is further worsened than are applied to the system of slave wage.

According to the December 1, 2019 data, the minimum wage applied to CALABARZON in the non-agricultural sector was from Php317-400 and Php303-372 in the agricultural sector compared to the existing of Php500-537 in Metro Manila and Central Luzon Php393-400 (P339 in Aurora). But as far as in Metro Manila goes, the minimum wage goes down and wage rationalization also sets wage variations based on the categories of areas as growth corridor area (Php325-400), emerging growth area (Php317.50- 344) and resource based area (Php317-327). In Mimaropa, the prevailing wage is Php294-320. It lacks the basic financial support equivalent to the Php1,099 needed of a family of 6 members so they can eat 3 meals a day.

***

By looking back at history and in seeing the ever continuing past, the laboring folk has a duty to enlight its fellow, unite, and to fight back for their rights. This celebration of labour is more than just recognising their hard work and creativity, but also to remember the hard earned struggles to defend and to fight further in this time of repression and injustice.

In fact, this celebration has contributed to the story of a struggle for nationhood as calls for independence and sovereignty been clamoured alongside higher wages and better working conditions. These calls may somehow continue to resonate as interest seeking compradores and despotic landlords alike continues to repress the folk while pretending they are all for prosperity and development, what more that with the present administration's fascistic agenda comes a myriad of threats, harassments, and outright arrests all because of a belief in national and social liberation.

With this, right is to say that the history of the Philippines also corresponds to history of class struggles.

And that through the working folk lies a nation's future. The working masses have no hope for the impoverished, neglected and murderous order. Thus it is necessary to rely on one's own strength and act for one's own class interests and to strengthen their ranks and collective struggle. It is only necessary for the workers and the masses to be more united, alert, and organized in order to have a strong and broad voice in launching militant actions to defend its rights and to assert justice both in the workplace and in the society.