THE National Anti-Poverty Commission has scheduled a forum to be attended by representatives from the poor and marginalized sectors, but the government agency invited only Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II and his running-mate Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo.
NAPC Communications Officer Jomari Guillermo said there was nothing wrong if Roxas and Robredo were the only candidates asked to attend the forum, with the theme “Panawagan para Lubusin ang mga Nasimulang Reporma” (Call to Continue the Reforms) on Feb. 17.
“The executive committee of NAPC has decided to invite only Mar and Leni because they are the candidates of President Benigno Aquino III, and the forum will be an assessment on the social contract performance of the administration,” Guillermo said.
Asked if NAPC saw nothing wrong in spending government funds to host Roxas and Robredo, Guillermo said the other candidates will also be invited to future forums.
“We will hold forums for other candidates,” he said.
When pressed for the schedule of the next forum and who will be invited, Guillermo said: “We are not sure if the forums will push through because they are already on campaign mode. So I cannot promise anything. We will coordinate with the other candidates.”
The Feb. 17 forum will be held at the Bahay ng Alumni at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
It will gather national and local leaders of people’s organizations, including the representatives of the 14 Basic Sectors from the following groups: farmers and landless rural workers; artisanal fisherfolk; indigenous people; urban poor; women; formal labor and migrant workers; workers in the informal sector; persons with disabilities; children, youth and students; victims of disasters and calamities; cooperatives; non-government organizations; and senior citizens.
“While there have been forums organized by students, youth and business tycoons, there has been no forum yet organized by the poor and the marginalized,” said NAPC vice chairman for the basic sectors Ruperto Aleroza.
“No doubt, there is economic growth; but the poor has been left out. The government must provide avenues for meaningful participation of the basic sectors in policies, implementation of development projects and improving anti-poverty programs,” he added.
Aleroza will present the New Social Contract of the NAPC Basic Sectors that identifies specific policy recommendations that they would want the next administration to address.
Roxas and Roberdo will be asked to respond to the document.