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Meanwhile

An appeal.

The pressing issue on the Tadeco-Bucor JVA has brought opposing views on the different laws, proclamations and even on the constitution on the table, an exercise proving the existence of democracy.

Calls for the cancellation of the Joint Venture Agreement has been all over the news. Mounting views, looking at the agreement to be within the bounds of the law and mandate of Bucor, are also visible in social media. Those that want the agreement to be void are looking for laws to support their claim. Those that believe in the agreement look for laws to uphold its legality. Each group has their purpose and intent for their beliefs.

Meanwhile, workers in Tadeco and inmates of Dapecol are looking at the horizon, staring at the cloud of uncertainty. The issue has brought uneasiness on the peaceful lives of the workers in Tadeco. The effective rehabilitation effort and mandate of Bucor is in jeopardy. We have been thrust into a realm where tomorrow is either gladness or sadness. There is no middle ground.

Those who view the agreement as void, even if it had been reviewed so many times, can argue whatever they want and can claim that they do it for protection and concern for the republic. We, on the other hand, want to be protected by the state as laborers and workers. Interpretation of the laws on the agreement, its inalienability, legality, constitutionality or whatever, for some people, is a game of wit and wisdom, on who can interpret it the best, not knowing that, proving such will render the basic rights of the workers, to be protected by the state, and its citizens, to be provided with livable life, to be trampled to the ground.

Isn't it the duty of the state to raise its citizens from poverty? Isn't it a mandate of the state to protect and give welfare to the workers? Our president RRD vows to fight for workers' rights. Yet, there are people who want to cuff these rights by proving that, also, in the constitution and in the laws of the land, there are provisions that can cripple the citizens of the republic.

Can we not settle for one basic purpose? That of promoting the welfare of the people; that of setting aside pride to prove something in favor of love for our countrymen. The more than 10,000 workers of TADECO, our families, our neighbors, the micro enterprise that flourished because of the stable income that Tadeco provided, the inmates who have supported their families, the students, whom we always refer to as the hope of the nation, who are depending on this banana plantation, we will be hit hard, very hard. Are we going back to the era when looking for a meal a day will take a strength more than the meal can provide? No, we should not. That's why, we appeal to our president, Rodrigo R. Duterte to consider our plight and to all who have the authority over the issue - to protect the workers, to be fair in your judgement; to be truly the representative and servants of the people who have put you in office; to consider our basic rights as citizens and workers of this country in your decision regarding this matter.

I hope that, as small as this is, that this can reach our beloved Pres. Digong; even just the slightest idea that we, workers in TADECO, which has a Joint Venture Agreement with Bucor, are appealing to him to take a glance at us.

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