Church People-Workers Solidarity supports calls for resumption of jeepney operation and immediate release of cash aid to jeepney drivers
We from the Church People-Workers Solidarity join in solidarity with thousands of jeepney drivers who are still left with no sources of livelihood since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine amidst the Covid 19 pandemic.
We air the concerns of our jeepney drivers regarding memorandum circular 2020-017 of LTFRB on the operation of PUB’s and PUJ’s during the General Community Quarantine. In the said memorandum, public utility buses is the preferred means of transportation and in areas where PUB’s could not operate, the following hierarchy of transport service shall be observed; tourist bus, OFG compliant PUJ (modernized jeepney), UV Express Service and traditional PUJ which have already consolidated as cooperative or are fleet managed and tourist vans. According to PISTON, the abovementioned memorandum will not allow many jeepneys to operate and for those which can operate many restrictions and limitations are being set by the LTFRB. It also increases the fear of jeepney drivers and small operators on the phase out of traditional jeepneys.
We are saddened that for more than two months, many of them are still waiting for the cash aid particularly the Social Amelioration Program from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Even before the pandemic, jeepney drivers and their families are already in difficult economic situation. And now, the situation even worsens.
In this light, we urge the government to take heed to the call of our jeepney drivers and small operators:
1. Allow the resumption of Public Utility Jeepneys as it will revive the livelihood of thousands of jeepney drivers and small operators and will provide transport service to frontliners, workers among others.
2. Cash assistance that will fill in the shortage of income due to only 50% passenger capacity for PUV’s. This will also help the drivers to pay for gasoline, maintenance of their vehicles and most importantly basic needs for their families.
3. Conduct mass testing to jeepney drivers and other public transport workers to ensure their safety and the commuting public.
Last May 29, 2020, the House of Representatives approved at the committee level its adoption, in toto, of the Senate version of the new anti-terrrorism bill titled “An Act To Prevent, Prohibit And Penalize Terrorism, Thereby Repealing Republic Act No. 9372,
Otherwise Known As The “Human Security Act Of 2007.”
By adopting the Senate version, the joint committees in the House dispensed with the various versions filed in the House and ignored the proposed amendments of its own members. House Committee on Public Order and Safety Narciso Bravo, Jr. candidly admitted during the hearing that this was being done upon the orders of the House leadership who wanted the bill approved immediately.
The measure is expected to be taken up in the House plenary for 2nd and possibly 3rd reading before Congress adjourns its second session on June 5. If approved without amendments, the bill will go straight to Malacañang for the Presidents signature and enactment into law.
A vague and overbroad definition
The bill aims to expand the already vague and broad definition of terrorism found in the existing anti-terrorist law (Human Security Act of 2008). This it does by replacing the strictly defined predicate crimes constituting terrorism (e.g. murder, arson, kidnapping, rebellion, etc.) with the following general categories, regardless of the stage of execution, as provided in Section 4 of the bill:
a) acts intended to cause death, serious bodily injury, or endangering a person’s life;
b) acts intended to damage or destroy a government or public facility, public place or private property;
c) acts intended to extensively interfere with, damage or destroy critical infrastructure;
d) developing, manufacturing, possessing, acquiring, transporting, supplying or using weapons, explosives, biological, nuclear, radiological or chemical weapons;
e) releasing dangerous substances or causing fire, floods or explosions.
The above-mentioned acts, when the purpose, by its nature or context, is to intimidate the public or its segment, create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear, intimidate the government, seriously destablize or destroy the fundamental political, economic and social structures of the country, or create a public emergency or seriously undermine public safety, will be punishable with life imprisonment without benefit of parole.
While Sec. 4 provides that terrorism excludes advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, industrial or mass action, and other similar exercises of civil and political rights, the exemption only applies if such acts are not intended to cause death, serious physical harm, endangers a person’s life, or creates a serious risk to public safety. Otherwise, such legitimate actions can still be considered as terrorist acts or acts in furtherance of terrorism.
Based on such a vague and over-broad definition, the bill proceeds to list several related crimes that further expands the crime of terrorism, all with extremely heavy, disproportionate penalties:
OFFENSE
PENALTY
Threat to Commit Terrorism (Sec. 5)
12 years imprisonment
Planning, Training, Preparing, and Facilitating the Commission of Terrorism (Sec. 6)
Life imprisonment without parole or good conduct benefits
Conspiracy to Commit Terrorism (Sec. 7)
Life imprisonment without parole or good conduct benefits
Proposal to Commit Terrorism (Sec. 8)
12 years imprisonment
Inciting to Commit Terrorism (Sec. 9)
12 years imprisonment
Recruitment to and Membership in a Terrorist Organization (Sec. 10)
Life imprisonment without parole or good conduct benefits
Being a Foreign Terrorist (Sec. 11)
Life imprisonment without parole or good conduct benefits
Providing Material Support to Terrorists (Sec. 12)
Same as that of principal accused
Accessory to the crime regardless of relationship to the accused (Sec. 14)
12 years imprisonment
If a public official, additional administrative case of grave misconduct and/or disloyalty to the Republic and the Filipino people
dismissal from the service, cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and perpetual absolute disqualification from elective or public office.
Under this new definition of terrorism and its related crimes, organizers and participnts of a transport strike can be charged with terrorism for “extensively interfering” with the public transportation system, “intimidating the government” to give in to their demands, and creating a “serious risk to public safety” due to the resulting traffic and commuter congestion.
Likewise, anti-Duterte protesters who resist a violent dispersal operation can be charged with terrorism for “endangering the life” of the police and “seriously destablizing” the political order. Speakers in the said rally can be charged with threatening, inciting, or conspiracy to commit terrorism.
Finally, persons or groups who provide food, water, shelter, office space or financial support to the participants of the above activities, even their children and spouses, can be charged with “providing material support” to them or implicated as accessories.
A blow to due process and human rights
Under the biill, even the mere suspicion of involvement in terrorism and its related crimes already unleashes a string of violations of constitutionally guaranteed rights.
Sec. 29 allows the warrantless arrest and detention without charges of suspects of anywhere from 14-24 days as opposed to the explicit constitutional limit of 72 hours.
Sec. 16 allows the secret wiretapping and surveillance of a suspected person’s or group’s private communications, conversations, data, ordinary or electronic mail, information, messages “with the use of any mode, form, kind or type” of technology “in whatever form, kind or nature.”
Sec. 25 gives the Anti Terrorism Council (ATC) the power to unilaterally and arbitrarily, without proper hearing and on the mere basis of probable cause, designate an individual, group of persons, organization or association as terrorist and for the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to freeze the assets of said individuals or groups.
In addition to Sec. 25, Sec. 26 also gives the Courts the power to proscribe an organization, association or group of persons as terrorists via a “preliminary order of proscription” based on probable cause. Members of such proscribed organization can be penalized with life imprisonment without parole due to mere membership in that organization, even if they are not engaged in any overt terrorist act.
A weapon for tyranny and dictatorial rule
The anti-terrorism bill’s vague and over-broad definition, coupled with its draconian provisions, make it an ultimate weapon for abuse and tyranny. In the hands of the Duterte government, it can and will be undoubtedly used to intimidate and imprison critics, members of the opposition and political dissenters, the media, social reformers, civil libertarians and human rights advocates, and anyone that gets in the way of its tyrannical rule.
It is a threat to those opposing Duterte’s surrender of our national sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, his murderous yet sham “war on drugs”, the criminal bungling of the Covid-19 response, the crackdown on human rights defenders, the appointment of a virtual military junta running the government, and the favored treatment of presidential relatives, business cronies and political loyalists.
Already, we are witness to how the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) has linked almost all groups and institutions critical of the administration to the “communist terrorist” movement. They have maliciously accused such groups as “communist- terrorist fronts” or conspirators in imagined plots like the fantastic Red October Plot of 2018. This law will transform such malicious and absurd accusations into an open, fascist crackdown.
With Duterte in firm control of Congress and the Courts, his generals and cronies occupying the highest positions of power and influence in the Executive, mainstream media intimidated and cajoled into silence and his extensive troll operations distorting social media, the last thing we need is a law to further unleash state terror on our people.#
We would like to invite you to sign a multi-sectoral joint statement against the passage of the Terror Bill, which the House of Representatives is expected to vote on soon.
While we may not succeed in blocking its passage, let us register very strongly our opposition to this legislation that could well spell the end of democracy and freedom in our country.
We would like to emphasize that this is not a statement of media alone but one that we feel should be joined by as broad a segment of civil society and as many freedom-loving individuals as possible.
May we also suggest that, on the day we release this statement, we launch a social media campaign in which we post selfies or portraits with our mouths taped shut with messages written on the tape. These could be the following – CRITICISM IS NOT TERRORISM; FREE SPEECH IS NOT TERRORISM; JOURNALISM IS NOT TERRORISM; ACTIVISM IS NOT TERRORISM – and other messages you may wish to make.
May we also suggest that we maintain this alliance should they enact this odious piece of legislation so that we can continue our collective defense of our rights and freedoms.
Kindly send this to your networks and please comment on this thread if there are others who want to sign on.
Deadline for submission of signatories is tomorrow, June 3, 7 am. We are posting this statement tomorrow at 9 am.
Mabuhay Ang Ating Kalayaan! Mabuhay Ang Ating Karapatan!
Maraming salamat po!
For the NUJP Board,
Nonoy Espina Chairperson
STATEMENT
We Reject the Terror Bill
Why do our government officials always think law and order, peace and security can be realized only at the expense of our rights?
We, journalists, media organizations, civil society groups, academics and other concerned individuals unequivocally reject the anti-terror bill that the House of Representatives railroaded through the wholesale adoption of Senate Bill No. 1083, to do away with the bicameral committee conference hasten its passage and enactment into law.
Let us be clear about one thing: We are against terrorism.
However, bad as the Human Security Act of 2007 is, this bill, should it become law, would be much worse, so much that it would be more apt to call it the Terror Bill.
Not only does this proposed law grant an “Anti-Terror Council” the power to designate, on mere probable cause, persons or entities as terrorists or terrorist groups, it also allows the Anti-Money Laundering Council, an ATC member, to freeze the assets of these persons or groups, all without granting them the opportunity to defend themselves and refute any information against them.
Worse, the proposed law would also allow the ATC to authorize the detention without judicial warrant of arrest of suspects for up to 14 calendar days, extendible by another 10 days.
These clearly violate the Constitution’s guarantee to due process and constitutes a usurpation of judicial power.
Worse, this bill would worsen the impunity with which many of our laws and rights are violated by the very ones sworn to protect and uphold these by doing away with the stiff penalties intended to prevent any abuse of this legislation’s most draconian measure, the extrajudicial arrest and detention of suspects.
The bill also poses mortal danger to the principles of freedom of the press and of expression in Section 9 defining the crime of “inciting to terrorism,” which can be committed “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations of the same” and is punishable by 12 years in prison.
This provision is, however, prone to broad application much like this and previous administrations have used the existing offenses of inciting to sedition and rebellion to quell free speech and intimidate critics.
In effect, reportage on persons and groups deemed terrorist, or even merely repeating what they say, could be interpreted as committing inciting to terrorism.
While we all agree that the fight against terrorism is important and needs the participation and cooperation of everyone, we maintain that the proposed law is open to abuse by despotic governments to visit terror against critics and the people in general.
If a law to fight terrorism is to be contemplated, let the respect and defense of human rights be the paramount consideration.
Initial Signatories to the Joint Statement:
1. Most Reverend Broderick Pabillo, D.D. 2. Rev. Mariesol Villalon of United Methodist Church 3. Rev. Irma Balaba of National Council of Churches in the Philippines
Catholic schools in the Philippines have reported that the coronavirus pandemic has affected their finances. Some schools have reportedly started the retrenchment of some of its workers. (Photo by Basilio Sepe)
A Catholic school in the central Philippines announced that it will cease operations due to “difficulties” that the coronavirus pandemic brought to the institution.
The Angelicum School in Iloilo, an institution run by the Order of Preachers since 1978, announced that it will stop operations on July 31.
In a letter to parents, Dominican priest Maximo Gatela, school director, advised students to either opt for a home study program or transfer to another school.
While the country gradually shifts to a “new normal” due to the pandemic, several Catholic educational institutions are facing “hard times.”
Some opted to dismiss workers, especially those described as having “special working status” with the institution, like support staff.
The University of Santo Tomas Hospital, an institution also run by the Dominicans, earlier announced its plan to terminate workers due to financial losses.
Financial challenges
Father Nolan Que, a member of the board of trustees of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines, admitted that most schools “struggle in terms of financial survival” due the pandemic.
He said that there were a lot of “unsettled tuition” in the past school year, resulting in lack of funds to pay for the salaries of teachers.
The priest, however, said that despite the difficulties “[it] does not mean that we should not be charitable to our employees.”
“It is now high time to be real witnesses to them,” said Father Que.
A teacher prepares a robot that allows students to attend an online graduation in Manila on May 22. Schools across the Philippines have closed during the pandemic, postponing a lot of activities including graduations. (Photo by Angie De Silva)
Yesterday’s railroading of the new anti-terrorism bill by the Lower House committees deliberating on the measure brings the country one more step towards a Marcosian dictatorship.
These shameless Congresspersons orchestrated a sneak attack on our civil and political liberties while the entire country was preoccupied by the Covid19 pandemic and the hard lockdown imposed by government.
Setting aside the various bills of their fellow congressmen, House leaders orchestrated the adoption of the Senate’s version in toto, without even changing a comma or a period. This put into waste months of careful deliberations by the joint committees and efforts by several House members to mitigate the bill’s dangerous and draconian provisions.
In light of the railroading that has taken place in the HOR, we can anticipate the quick passage of the bill into law. The Senate bill now adopted by the House provides for the following draconian provisions:
• a more vague and broad definition of terrorism to include virtually any kind of protest action or expression of dissent;
• new crimes like threatening, planning, training, preparing, facilitating, conspiring, proposing or inciting to commit “terrorism” that further widen the already overbroad scope of the crime of”terrorism”;
• ex parte or one-sided designation or proscription of persons or groups as “terrorist”;
• legalizing guilt by association via the crimes of recruitment, membership, and providing material support to a designated
“terrorist” or “terrorist” group, organization or association;
• arrest without warrant and detention without charges from 14 to as much as 24 days versus the current 72 hours;
• relaxed rules on physical and electronic surveillance, examination and freezing of assets and bank accounts for persons or groups suspected of engaging in “terrorism”.
This vague, overbroad and expanded definition of “terrorism” and its related crimes will provide the basis for abuse by authorities, making it much much easier to intimidate, harrass, invade the privacy, arrest and detain anyone on trumped up charges.
This is a threat to those opposing the Duterte government’s surrender of our national sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, the murderous yet sham “war on drugs”, the criminal bungling of the Covid-19 response, the crackdown on human rights defenders, the appointment of a virtual military junta running the government, and the favored treatment of presidential relatives, business cronies and political loyalists.
It targets critics of government and the status quo, social reformers, members of the Opposition, the critical press and the civil liberties and human rights of every Filipino.
We appeal to the remaining upright and freedom-loving members of the House to reject this abominable piece of legislation when it reaches the plenary. We call on our people to vehemently oppose this latest attack by the Duterte regime on Philippine democracy.#
Quezon City, Philippines – With the easing of the lockdown in Mega-Manila and in provinces across the Philippines church and envi groups come together in a Webinar Series themed, “Imagining a Just and Green Recovery: An Online Conversation”.
The webinar, organized by Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) brings together people from the field of justice, faith, and environmental protection to dialogue on a just and green post-Covid society.
According to Yoly Esguerra, National Coordinator of PMPI, the webinar series takes its root from the wider global clamor for an immediate relief and sustainable recovery.”
MPI joined thousands of grassroots and civil society organizations to call for a just and sustainable recovery with the belief that the interconnection of ecological destruction, climate crisis, and inequality as the root of the pandemic.
Esguerra said, “We are challenged by this pandemic, but we hope to contribute to the global clamor by presenting to the public the Rights of Nature as a paradigm for our recovery and towards a better society.”
From March 15, 2020 Mega-Manila was put in a lockdown as part of the Philippine government’s attempt to control the spread of COVID 19.
The 1st of the Webinar Series was joined by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, principal author of Senate Bill No. 1097, “An Act Recognizing the Rights of Natural Ecosystems, Populations, and Process and Providing Mechanisms for the protection and enforcement thereof.”
Sen. Hontiveros during the webinar said, “The parallelism of Laudato Si and Rights of Nature is glaring. The Catholic Church can form a grass roots movement that they can shepherd that will not only help in pushing for the Rights of Nature Bill but also towards the internalization of the principles of Laudato Si.” She added, “Once we are able to pass the Rights of Nature Bill, change in peoples’ world view is already lived and present.”
Sen. Risa Hontiveros described our current world view as poisonous and murderous because humans have forgotten that if nature is destroyed, humanity will cease to exist. She concluded that there is a need to change our relationship with Mother Nature.
The PMPI along with NASSA/Caritas Philippines is advocating for a bill that will render nature as a rights bearing entity. The House and Senate versions of the bill are currently filed, awaiting its reading.
On its 2nd Webinar Series, the group with main discussant Fr. Danny Pilario is Dean, St. Vincent School of Theology – Adamson University opined that at the core our current debacle is injustice to our environment where the abuse of other life forms by humans is the norm.
Fr. Pirio said, “Our economic system which features rapid urbanization and creation of megacities, increase global mobility, coupled with deforestation for industrialization, and wildlife trafficking in favor for profit, all makes for our lopsided relationship with nature.”
The World Economic Forum in an article wrote that people have converted nearly half of the world’s land into agriculture. Tropical forests have suffered the most, with some of the highest rates of agricultural conversion over the last few decades.
To: All Laiko Heads of National Lay Organizations & Arch/diocesan Councils of the Laity Dear Brothers & Sisters,
The peace and love of the risen Lord be with you!
We are very pleased to inform you of the success of the recent Post Quarantine Conversations IV last May 23, 2020. The Zoom Room was closed with its maximum (100 people) capacity from different Dioceses and National Lay Organizations. With the very inspiring presentation of Bishop Gerry Alminaza cross-posted by the CBCP News to other FB pages, more than 10,000 people were able to view it and share its replay. Please pass and share this to others as we invite them to another inspiring event this Saturday. Watch here.
As we are celebrating Pentecost Sunday on May 31, we are pleased to invite you to the Post Quarantine Conversations V: New Mindsets for Emerging and Alternative Ministries…”Transitioning towards Digital Evangelization” on May 30, Saturday, 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
We will have an On-line Praise and Worship to be led by Bro. Mars Catan and a presentation on Digital Evangelization by Bro. Moses Catan, both from the ELIM GLOBAL COMMUNITIES.
We will be using a Zoom application for this. Kindly let us know if you’re capable and available to join this conversation by replying to this email on or before May 28, so that we could send you the link where you could register to actively participate in this meeting, as well as the mechanics.
Most Rev. Broderick Pabillo, the Laiko Board Members and the HOLY SPIRIT will be joining us in this on-line prayer meeting.
Thank you. Rest assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones’ safety!
Greetings from Global Catholic Climate Movement – Pilipinas.
This year we celebrate the 5th year of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’ On Care for our Common Home. Since its release, Laudato Si’ has been and continues to be the source of inspiration and passion to care for our common home for different religious and secular groups. We celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, not just to remember this significant church document but also to articulate its achievements and challenges. Bringing Laudato Si’ to life is as urgent as the climate emergency that we are facing. Considering the reality of the corona virus pandemic, GCCMPilipinas, the official chapter of Global Catholic Climate Movement, and its partner organizations, would like to invite you to the series of online activities to celebrate Laudato Si’ Week 2020 from May 16-24 with the theme, “Everything is Connected.” Because of limited slots, we urge you to pre-register with the link below.
May 16 at 4:30pm – Launching of Laudato Si’ Week 2020 – will be live streamed in GCCM Pilipinas FB page: https://www.facebook.com/gccm.pilipinas/
May 19 at 4:00pm – Online Reflection with Fr. Sean McDonagh, SSC “5th Year of Laudato Si: Achievements and Challenges” Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfuGtrjwpGtxhKs31hxeFBSQKSsAJrzy9
May 20 at 3:00pm – “Online Conversation on Divestment: Investment for the Future” – exclusive for Religious Congregations and Oeconomus of the different Dioceses” Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtd-yhqTwpEtJFH0OFGOIpvejw_vvXVzF0
May 22 at 4pm – Online Reflection with Dr. John Feehan: “Laudato Si and Biodiversity in relation to Covid 19” Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqceytqTguHtRAmF42Wj0qr74GkI8gGZdB
May 23 at 4:30pm – Interreligious Prayer: “Praying Together for Our Common Home” Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqcuquqDgoHtZWESc7rARc0IMfu1SP8ZQi
May 24 at 10am – Online Celebration of the Holy Eucharist with Bp. Broderick Pabillo, DD – will be livestreamed by TV Maria, https://www.facebook.com/tvmariaphils/
May 24 at 11:30am – Online Global Prayer Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctc-GprjsuHNwL2RqskKdw2CJVAYLgTkMB
We thank you for your continued support in promoting Laudato Si’ and we look forward to continuous collaboration with you in caring for our common home.
Please find attached Instruction to join Laudato Si’ Week 2020 online events. We are also resending you the Celebration Concept Note and the Calendar of Activities.
To All the Bishops and the Diocesan Administrators Your Eminences, Your Excellencies and Reverend Administrators,
Re: Liturgical Guidelines in “New Normal” Condition
Peace!
We are sending you the Recommendations and Guidelines for the Liturgical
Celebration in the “New Normal” Condition. The CBCP Permanent Council discussed and approved this earlier today.
We would like to remind that since these directives are only recommendatory, Your Excellencies have to adapt them as your own especially that the dispensation regarding the Sunday celebration can only be made by the diocesan bishop and not by the Episcopal Conference (CBCP).
This set of recommendations and guidelines are formulated in view of the possibility that government and public health authorities will allow mass religious gatherings to resume, especially the public celebration of the Holy Eucharist; we have to be open to the reality that we have to do it in the “new normal” way.
With our best prayerful wishes of good health, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Recommendations and Guidelines for the Liturgical Celebration in “New Normal” Condition
We need the Lord – the Bread of Life – in the Holy Eucharist! The Holy Eucharist is central and essential to the life of the Church and to the life of each individual believer. It is in this context that we understand our people’s desire to return to the parishes, participate in the liturgy, and receive the Eucharist, which up to now we are not able to do because of the current restrictions to address the coronavirus pandemic.
However, we tell ourselves that when the time comes and we are able to gather and celebrate the Eucharist, we will approach this next phase, in the context of the pandemic, with prudence, patience and loving and charitable mindset.
We offer you then some guidelines in view of the possibility, in the gradual return to the new normal that we will be allowed to celebrate the Sacraments with the people in attendance, especially the Holy Eucharist.
Your Eminences, Your Excellencies, and Reverend Administrators,
Greetings of the Lord’s peace!
This year we celebrate the 5th year of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si On Care for our Common Home, with the theme, “Everything is Connected.” We celebrate Laudato Si’ Week, not just to remember this significant church document but also to articulate its achievements and challenges. And during this COVID-19 crisis, we also take note of how the spread of infectious disease is very much related to the destruction of the habitat in our ecosystems.
In July 2019, we, in the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released our Pastoral Letter: An Urgent Call for Ecological Conversion, Hope in the Face of Climate Emergency. As we commemorate the anniversary of Laudato Si, we need to continue our initiatives and accomplish the action points we committed to do to protect our common home.
Our Episcopal Commission on Social Action – Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP), having tasked to take lead in Laudato Si campaign, have continued to work with the other Commissions and our partner dioceses in pursuing the actions points enumerated in our Pastoral Letter on Ecology and Climate emergency.
In celebration of Laudato Si Anniversary, and in continuation of our ecological advocacies, we would like to invite you and your Social Action Center to join and engage in the following activities for which we need you can support and active participation:
On May 20, 2020, as part of Laudato Si Week celebration, we are launching in our website the NASSA/Caritas PH Green Initiatives. This is a concept note outlining our major campaigns focusing on food security, divestment from coal and Rights of Nature. We will have the launch through an online forum in Greenfaith FB channel. The document can be accessed from our website, with this link: https://www.nassa.org.ph/ecological-campaigns/
Simultaneously in the same online forum, we will also launch our E-book entitled, “Greening Our Communities.” The booklet is a compilation of illustrated reflections and guidelines on how to live the spirit of Laudato Si through grassroots and community actions. We make this booklet available from our website, with this link: https://www.nassa.org.ph/ecological-campaigns/
As part of our campaign to pass the bill on Rights of Nature, we are happy to announce that we were able to file the bill both in the Congress and the Senate. We need your support. It will make a big impact if you can lobby your respective Representatives in the House to support the bill, even just to write them a letter, just as what Bishop Alberto Uy did. The letter can be used as a template, and it can just be downloaded from our website: https://www.nassa.org.ph/ecological-campaigns/
ECSA-JP is a convenor of Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM). We have a separate invitation for you for an online forum on divestment on May 20, 2020, with Bp. Broderick Pabillo and Bp. Gerry Alminaza as guests. Breaking from coal dependency is one major call of Laudato Si. We initially identified BPI as a low hanging fruit that we can lobby. We have a briefer on this campaign, including a template letter to BPI that you can just sign. The documents are available from our web, with this link: https://www.nassa.org.ph/ecological-campaigns/
Lastly, on our food security campaign, we need to underline the need to address poverty by ensuring sufficient food supply for the poor. This has become particularly clear during this COVID pandemic. As I have underlined in one of my media interviews: “The present crisis brought by Covid-19 compels us to ensure that each Filipino family is secured with ample supply of basic food requirement and this can only be provided if the agriculture sector is given priority. It’s about time we strengthen our programs on food security, providing the needed support to farmers and fisherfolk who remain until this time, the poorest sector in the country.” To this end, we would like to encourage our diocesan social action centers (DSAC) to aggressively pursue the promotion of community or family farming. We have good experiences and practices in many dioceses that we can replicate. These experiences are compiled and are available from our website, through this link: https://www.nassa.org.ph/ecological-campaigns/
We hope that with your support and committed actions we recommended above, we can really move forward to put our faith into action vis-à-vis the ever changing “new normal” that brings further misery to the poor, and further threatens our common home.
Sincerely in our Lord,
+ Jose Colin Bagaforo, D.D. Chair, Episcopal Commission on Social Action – Justice and Peace (ECSA-JP)
