MEDIA ADVISORY (for Wednesday, April 29)

ATTN: News Desks, Reporters and Photojournalists

As Labor Day Approaches

Group storms anti-poverty agency, demands “better framework for providing jobs” for millions of unemployed poor

As the celebrations for International Labor Day on May 1 approach, members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) will “storm the gates” of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) in Quezon City to demand a “better framework for providing jobs” for the vast number of unemployed poor.

Members will attempt to force through the gates of the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Elliptical Road, where the NAPC offices are located, and call for a dialogue with the agency’s leaders to air their concerns.

“The NAPC’s response to the massive layoffs brought about by the global crisis has been the Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (CLEEP). Even assuming that it will actually reach its declared number of 220,000 to be employed, this does not even begin to scratch the estimated 4.3 M unemployed in the country today,” said Jon Vincent Marin, Kadamay information officer.

The group will carry its 10-point ‘Fighting Demands’, launched just before the ‘Kalbaryo ng Maralita’ mobilization last month, and present these to NAPC officials if given the opportunity.

Chief among these demands would be job creation through expansion of social services infrastracture (education, health and housing), accessibility of affordable NFA rice to majority of the poor, as well as vendors and informal sector issues.

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TOMORROW, April 29, 10 AM

Assembly at Philippine Coconut Authority building, Elliptical Road, Quezon City

Media Coverage is Requested.

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Kadamay Public Information Department 

Jon Vincent Marin 0910.975.7660 | Radney Flores 0907.492.5184