Saturday, December 20, 2008 Protesters' backwages remain unreleased By Jovi T. De Leon
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Despite getting off the Capitol's power lines for their electricity needs at their picket line at Arnedo Park here, the protesting sacked quarrymen of the Biyaya A Luluguran At Sisikapan (Balas) are yet to get their night differentials, terminal leaves, and cash gifts.
Provincial Administrator Vivian Dabu told Sun.Star Friday that she is still waiting for a "formal notice" from city power provider San Fernando Electric Company (Sfelapco) regarding the acquisition of a power meter by the protesters and the disconnection of their power lines from the Capitol main power source.
Earlier, Dabu "promised" the protesters that their backpays of 2007 "shall be released only after we are assured that you are no longer and will no longer illegally tap on the power lines of the Provincial Government."
Reacting to the demands of Dabu and "sensing" that this may finally lead to the release of their claims, the protesters immediately applied for a power meter and the necessary permits from the City Government and Sfelapco.
Last week, Sfelapco installed the power meter, under the name of former Balas supervisor Agustin de Leon, and took their power lines off the Capitol.
On Monday until Friday, the protesters sought to inform Dabu of the development but failed and were surprised to learn from sources at the Capitol that she wanted a "certification" from Sfelapco if she was to release their claims.
The protesters were reportedly told by officials of the power firm that they "do not issue such certifications even for big commercial establishments or government institutions.
Sfelapco officials, according to them, "found it unusual" to request for such a certification, much more for them to issue one since such transactions, like the installation of a power meter, are well documented.
The power firm, meanwhile, provided the protesters with original copies of the agreement to purchase electricity, the connection order, receipts, the temporary permit granted by the City Government and other legal documents that would support and validate the acquisition of a power meter by the protesters.
Protesters have reiterated their appeal to Capitol executives for the immediate release of their backwages.
In separate letters sent to Governor Eddie Panlilio and Dabu, they said: "In the spirit of the Christmas season, we are appealing for the payment of our rightful claims not for our sake but more importantly for the sake of our respective families."
The letter further stated, "we believe in your sense of justice and Godliness" and that "we have had some disagreements which could be answered in the proper forum."
"To withhold our salaries, night differentials and cash gifts is tantamount to inflicting injustice to us and our families," the protesters said.
