Friday, November 14, 2008 Guv to Balas protesters: 'My door is wide-open for you' By Jovi T. De Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Eddie Panlilio on Thursday said his doors are "wide-open" for talks to the protesting sacked quarrymen of the Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas).
Panlilio said: "they (quarrymen) are most welcome anytime here to sit down and discuss some possible win-win resolutions on their plight."
The Balas boys, who are marking their 100th day of protest at Arnedo Park on Friday, have since publicly aired their appeal for Panlilio to visit them at the picket line and take a "look at their plight."
The protesters said they will mark their 100th day of protest, so far the longest picket in the region, with heightened calls for the governor and Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu's resignations, as well as stronger "truck attacks" that are now making its rounds of the province's barangays after a tour of municipalities here.
Former Balas supervisor Eduardo de Leon said contrary to rumors that "they will soon be packing up" amid the recall petition filed by Kambilan and the alleged dwindling of public support, the group has vowed to stay at the picket line until justice is served them by the capitol executives.
Earlier, the Capitol was abuzz with unconfirmed reports that the Balas boys would fold up on November 15 or 16, when they will be honored by civil society groups supporting their cause.
But de Leon said they have decided otherwise, opting to stay at the picket line until a final, judicial, and concrete resolution to their demands is met.
The protesters have called for the resignation of the Capitol executives for their inability to abide by the terms which they set in a dialogue held at Social Action Center of Pampanga (Sacop), and which was mediated by Fr. Deo Galang and observed by representatives from civil society.
These include their unconditional reinstatement and plea for due process on their demotion during the time they were with the capitol's quarry operations unit.
But Panlilio said he "could no longer have the protesters reinstated as they violated a civil service regulation -- particularly a rule prohibiting government employees to hold or join protests and rallies -- for the second time."
"I myself had violated that rule once when I had them reinstated back to their post after their first rally. I would not want to set a precedent again, and being a public servant listening to two sides of the issue, I have no choice but to uphold the rule of law, much that I would want to have them back," he said.
As with the protesters request for him to visit them at the picket line, Panlilio said: "Why don't they visit me here instead? They are most welcome here and my doors are wide open for talks where I could probably be of help in their situation. In fact, I have started requesting friends and their supporters as well, some time ago, like Rene Romero and Myrna Bituin to please help them find work. The truth is I continue to seek possible solutions regarding their situation."
The governor added that despite many failed attempts on his part to dialogue with the protesters, he is still extending a hand to them for the possibility of once and for all ending their protest in an amicable manner.
"I have tried, since the very start of their rally, to talk them, like Fil, Chris, Edu and the other supervisors to talk things out. But they did not agree to my invitation. That is why, I invite them, on the occasion of what they say is their 100th day there, to visit me in my office anytime and talk things out. I have been and am still open to this," Panlilio said.
The governor is due to leave for Cebu for a speaking engagement with civil society groups there, under Cebu Citizens' Involvement and Maturation for People Empowerment and Liberation (C-Cimpel), which advocates empowerment and the development of barangays.
