Labor group backs Puentevella

REPRESENTATIVES of different labor organizations in Bacolod City launched the Labor Advocates for Monico Puentevella (LAMP) in support for the mayoralty bid of MKK candidate former representative Monico Puentevella.

Winnie Sancho, leader and spokesperson of LAMP, with his fellow labor union leaders Cyrus Javelosa, Rolly Torre, Esther Sancho, Randy Ronquillo, Albert Pasasadaba, Nathaniel Jamandron, Ramon Lopez, Emmanuel Bandola, Roger Barrientos, Noel Alisen and Edwin Tribaco, said they supported Puentevella because they believe that he can help advance the needs and concerns of the labor sector.

"We decided to come out, as we see the need to agitate the significant changes in policy and decision making to influence the government to be more responsive to the needs of the poor and the needy," Sancho said.

The coming election is an opportunity for labor advocates and workers to work effectively in the existing political system by choosing and supporting candidates, he added.

Instead of being controlled by opinion, Sancho said that the labor sector is in a position to influence opinion since the people and not the politicians mark the political activity for the majority of the society.

He justified that in order to achieve significant political changes, it is necessary to engage in political action.

Sancho said it is typically the poor and the downcast who are left out of the decision-making process. Whenever a large number of people feel excluded from the usual political channel and are estranged from the government, the potential for disruption and violence can become explosive, he added.

He stressed that, in solidarity, labor advocates together with ordinary workers can exert a great deal of power.

Sancho stressed that the labor sector should be participants and not merely spectators in all decision-making processes.

Puentevella, on the other hand, was thankful for LAMP for their support on his bid, as he believes that many things can happen if they work together for the common good.

LAMP is light. That light will guide him in helping him push the causes and welfare of the labor sector.

There are many things that the labor sector needs and hopefully, when he succeeds in his bid, he will work on the welfare of the laborers and employees, he said.

The said support is a big help to him and his party mates and he knows how to reciprocate when the proper time comes, he added.