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Tuesday, December 03, 2002
SPDA workers, kin protest agency abolition
By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO -- Close to a thousand employees of the Southern Philippines Development Authority and their dependents will stage an indignation rally Tuesday at the SPDA compound to oppose the deactivation of the agency.
The employees face a bleak Christmas after President Arroyo ordered the termination of their services effective December 30.
According to Pepe Silvan of the Concerned Alliance and Union of SPDA Employees, the termination was "most cruel, unjust, and security of tenure."
Silvan said Arroyo's order was inhuman because SPDA employees, whose children are still studying, were not given the chance to prepare.
The protest came amid a brewing word war between Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Jesus Dureza and Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles.
In a press conference Monday, Dureza said the congressman's allegation that he was behind the eventual deactivation of the SPDA was nothing but mere political grandstanding.
"He should know first the real score before he opens his mouth. Because this shows he is an irresponsible official," Dureza said.
"I suggest that Representative Nograles does not grandstand with the so-called suffering employees at our expense. I think he should do more than that than just making statements that are not even accurate. The employees are suffering already and I'm trying my best to assuage it," he added.
Dureza said he only knew of the plan a day after President Arroyo signed Executive Order 149 deactivating the SPDA.
He said he too was surprised when he was told to head the task force that would implement the order. Arroyo signed EO 149 last November 18.
"I was one of the most surprised persons. But the decision has been made and I think it is a correct decision. And so I was tasked to implement it and being a good soldier I just did what was asked of me," he said.
Nograles, on the other hand, insisted that Dureza masterminded the deactivation of the SPDA.
As proof of this, Nograles distributed copies of Dureza's "Urgent Memorandum for Her Excellency" dated November 25, wherein Dureza recommended to President Arroyo about the deactivation of the SPDA.
Dureza said the congressman's actuation is somewhat questionable and politically tainted.
"Parang nagpapabida siya dito sa mga empleyado na ako ang dahilan kung bakit nawalan sila ng trabaho. They're looking at SPDA people in terms of vote. He should not. He should look at them as persons. He should not take advantage of this unfortunate incident that has befallen SPDA employees for political considerations," Dureza said.
"Kung nagtanong man lang si Nograles bago sya nagsalita ng ganun ay (If only Nograles will ask first before he opens his mouth) he will not look stupid there in that article na parang hindi sya informed. I hope he will rectify that statement if he is a responsible official," he added.
Dureza admitted the deactivation stopped short of abolishing the 37-year-old institution. He denied insinuations that Arroyo's order violated the Constitution, citing the Supreme Court ruling declaring as legal and within the powers of the executive the deactivation of the EIIB.
When asked if he has plans of talking the matter over with Nograles, Dureza said no.
"He's been talking to the media might as well answer him there," Dureza said.
As a parting shot, Dureza promised to reveal to the media the main reason why Nograles is making such a fuss over the issue.
"I will tell you later why the congressman is coming out with these lines. As you know, there is a political undertone here considering our political differences. But we should work as a team under the President and not immediately say something that is not validated," he said.
Dureza denied that he has plans to run for Congress this 2004. He said running for an elective position is the last thing he will do.
Nograles on Sunday showed to Sun.Star documents revealing the plan of Dureza's group to carry out the deactivation order of the President.
Part of the plan was to convince SPDA Board Chair Muslimin Sema and the whole board of directors and Administrator Mujahab Hashim to voluntarily resign en masse.
Nograles said Dureza even had a ready news statement for President Arroyo concerning the SPDA deactivation. Sun.Star Davao |
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