PRESS RELEASE
CAMP DOWNES, Ormoc City, June 12, 2022 – The 802nd Infantry (Peerless) Brigade together with the 8th Infantry Division, and Regional Offices of Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE-8), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA-8), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA-8), Office of Civil Defense (OCD-8), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-8), Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and Philippine Charity Sweepstake Office (PCSO-8), Police Regional Office (PRO-8) and Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO)-Province of Leyte were invited by the Nagkaihusang Progresibong Demokratikong Mamumuo sa PHILPHOS (NAPRODMAPHIL) during their conduct of Flag Raising Ceremony in connection with 124th Philippines Independence Day Celebration.
The activity were followed by their Indignation Rally and declaration of disaffiliation from National Association and Federation of Labor Union-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) and their subsequent Pledge of Allegiance to the Government. A “Serbisyo Caravan”, was also conducted where the OCD-8 distributed 250 Hygiene Kits, 250 Tube Skirts, 20 Butane Stoves and 20 Solar Lights; DSWD-8 provided individual cash assistance worth P3,000.00, PCSO-8 gave meals worth P30,000.00 from Jollibee, DOLE-8 also briefed the participants that they could avail the livelihood assistance up to P1,000,000.00 and PSWDO-Leyte provided 300 food packs. The activity was attended by 256 NAPRODMAPHIL officers and members and 69 others on duty. Mr. Roselito Ygańa, Senior Labor and Employment Officer representing the Regional Director Dir. Henry John S. Jalbuena of DOLE-8 officiated the declaration of disaffiliation and Pledge of Allegiance of NAPRODMAPHIL members.
Members of the Regional Task Force ELCAC 8 who attended the momentous event were Brigadier General Zosimo Oliveros, Assistant Division Commander, 8th Infantry Division; Deputy Regional Director Joseph Garcio of NICA-8; Regional Director Ramon Evan T. Ruiz of TESDA-8; Regional Director Lord Byron Torrecarion of OCD-8; Colonel Noel Vestuir, Commander, 802nd Infantry Brigade; Mr. Joselito Ygańa, Head, DOLE-Ormoc City; Assistant Director Clarito of DSWD-8; Police Colonel Salvador Alacyang of Police Regional Office 8; Lieutenant Colonel Arnold Lozada, Commanding Officer, 93rd Infantry Battalion; and Ms. Gwyndolyn Malate of PSWDO-Leyte. They delivered messages of commitment and support to the NAPRODMAPHIL members.
The NAPRODMAPHIL was organized by the NAFLU-KMU since 1984. In 2013 when super typhoon “YOLANDA” hit the Leyte Industrial Development Estate (LIDE) in Isabel, Leyte, the PHILPHOS incurred damages that severely affected the working conditions of the workers. The damage also affected the operations which further resulted to a situation where the management could not pay the salaries and wages of the employees. These inevitable conditions affect the working relationship of the workers and the management of the PHILPHOS. They seek the interventions of the NAFLU-KMU but to no avail, until they seek the assistance of DOLE on September 21, 2021 through Board of Directors Resolutions Number 4, seeking interventions and granted by the office.
“We decided to disaffiliate from NAFLU-KMU since we realized that they only abandoned us in the times that we needed their help. If not for the government intercession through the DOLE, we would not have claimed our long overdue and pending salaries. ”Mr. Ruperto Paciencia, Vice-President of NAPRODMAPHIL said.
Brigadier General Zosimo Oliveros quoted the chanting of Labor Union during their indignation rally “Yes to Unionism, No to Communism” where he emphasized that forming a union is legal and permitted under the law. “The mass recitation of PANATANG MAKABAYAN and pledge of allegiance by the group manifest and promote good standing and law-abiding Filipino citizenry.” Oliveros said.
According to Colonel Noel Vestuir, 802Bde Commander, “We are very glad that the NAPRODMAPHIL came to realize that they are only being exploited by NAFLU-KMU. The disaffiliation of their union from NAFLU-KMU and their pledge of allegiance to the government exemplifies the true meaning of independence as we celebrate the 124th Philippine Independence Day. By their courageous act, the NAPRODMAPHIL is now free from deceptions, free from exploitations and free from the influence of cpp-npa-ndf terrorist allied organization.” Vestuir ended. -30-
Contact Person:
CPT KAHARUDIN K CADIL ( INF) PA
Bde Civil-Military Operations Officer
0917-560-5896
Approved for Released:
COL NOEL A VESTUIR INF (MNSA) PA
Brigade Commander
