Advocacies

1.    Call for an End to Armed Violence in Advancing Social Change

There are groups who are taking the opportunity and enjoying the democratic space our society afford, while at the same time pursuing their goals under the barrel of the gun.

The use of armed violence as means or direction for change is contrary to the pursuit of humane development for all.  It defies the teachings of the Church.  It destroys the environment for investments and doing business threatening employment and income opportunities thus, further pushing the people in the quagmire of poverty and marginalization.

Armed violence can never be accepted by a society who believes in democracy and who aspires for peace and social justice.  A human development cannot be achieved when liberty and the exercise of inherent rights are suppressed and the culture of silence is further promoted through the barrel of the gun.

The use of armed violence is abusive, undemocratic and inhumane.  Accordingly, it is the responsibility of every individual and institution to deplore and condemn armed violence.

Societal change must be pursued under the context of democracy through social cooperation and partnership.

2.    Patriotism and Citizen Army Building

Disillusionments due to repeated betrayal and leadership failure contributed to the waning, if not total erosion, of the patriotic spirit in the hearts of our people.

Our leaders failed to harness and direct the people’s energy and aspirations towards the common good.

Rekindling patriotism in the hearts of our people is imperative if we are to attain moral and social renewal.

3.    Integral Human Rights

The cases of unexplained killings have thrust into the limelight the issue of Human Rights.  Extreme Left groups accused government forces of perpetuating said killings on the argument that the latter has in its possession the armaments of the State.

The government, on the other hand, made to account the Extreme Left groups specifically its armed group, the NPA, for the purging they committed against their own members and perceived enemies of their ideology.

Human rights concerns outweigh other sectoral issues today because of the attention given to them by the local and international media agencies.  In fact, the partisan manner by which these issues are presented place the government on the defensive position.

Admittedly, the government has the primary responsibility to advance and protect human rights. As such, it must respond immediately and decisively to the issues relating to the same.

However, human rights concerns are also everyday concerns of ordinary citizen. The responsibility for creation of an environment free from worries for personal security and community well-being belongs to everyone.

Human rights are the rights possessed by all persons, by virtue of their common humanity, to live a life of freedom and dignity. They give all people moral claims on the behavior of individuals and on the design of social arrangements – and are universal, inalienable and indivisible.

Human rights express our deepest commitments to ensuring that all persons are secure in their enjoyment of the goods and freedoms that are necessary for dignified living.

4.    Governance and Political Reforms

In the national political arena today, the contending forces of the administration and the opposition are arrayed against each other in a political stalemate.  This makes our dysfunctional political system even more dysfunctional, sacrificing good governance.  A big national issue may bring the conflict intensely into the open, shaking the country in a revolutionary crisis.

The government and all peace and democratic-loving Filipinos should join hands to break the political stalemate, institute good governance, and reverse the course of the prevailing social crisis toward its resolution.

5.    Agrarian Reform and Rural Development

The past and present agrarian reform programs based on land parceling failed to improve the lives of our farmers and bring about rural industrialization.

The agrarian reform policy should be shifted towards: a) land stewardship system; b) commercially-viable farms; and c) rationalized land utilization

The government should endeavor to consolidate small farm holdings and provide support services necessary to generate surpluses to fuel industrialization.

6.    Industrialization with Labor Justice

Our flawed industrialization results in high level of unemployment and underemployment aggravated by low productivity and unresponsive labor relations system.

Dialogue among social partners is the key towards establishing an industrial economy that serves the common good.

This also entails: (a) strengthening our core labor rights while promoting productivity and competitiveness; (b) comprehensive social insurance system; and (c) recognition of all forms of workers’ organizations for meaningful representation.