Task Force Hanjin
July 29, 2008
The Editor
Philippine Star
Dear Editor:
Your news story on page 18 of your July 16, 2008 issue entitled "Task Force Hanjin members quit after 13th worker" has somehow put the members in bad light. The story is misleading.
Indeed, we, the task force members, resigned but not quitted. We resigned because we saw the need to strengthen and expand the task force on Hanjin by including as members all interested sectors of the community, something that was not possible if we remained under the Office of the Governor. There as a local law - Executive Order No. 1 Series of 2007 - that limits the membership only to six people.
We resigned because we saw the need to have an independent task force to force those responsible for causing the many problems in Hanjin concerning people's rights and environmental protection to accept responsibility, correct the errors and improve the situation.
We resigned because we have already successfully formed an independent, strengthened and expanded task force - the People's Task Force on Hanjin and Subic Bay Inc. It is an NGO properly registered with the SEC even prior to our resignation.
We resigned not in defiance to the Governor, as what our detractors announce, but in support of his good cause for the people of Zambales. In fact, in our resignation letter, we even asked for the Governor's support because we believed that with him our fight would even become stronger.
We resigned because we are already tired of traditional politics. Oftentimes, whenever we faced SBMA and Hanjin in trying to settle the problems concerning gross human rights violations emanating from Hanjin operation, these two would not directly face us. Instead, they would run to the Governor for cover. They would use - and abuse - every opportunity to make the Office of the Governor as an excuse to avoid negotiating with us directly and settle the problems squarely. Probably because they knew that the task force didn't play politics. When we raised an issue, we wanted a straight answer, not tomorrow but today.
We understand that in politics - especially as it is practiced in this country - certain considerations, allowances, leeway and conveniences have to be made for nothing but purely political reasons. Indeed, being under the Governor's Office, we felt that our actions were somehow limited. In difference to the Governor, we oftentimes found ourselves at a loss in the face of the two giants - SBMA and Hanjin. Out of respect to the Governor and for fear that we might harm his office, we oftentimes took caution and tempered our boldness in fighting for people's rights.
Nevertheless, under the guidance of our good Governor, we have done our task and succeeded in achieving our goal. But this is tripartite effort. In oder to finally solve the problems, the SBMA and Hanjin had to do their parts also. We waited. Then we waited some more. . . until one day we could no longer wait. We finally saw light and resigned.
We, the former members of the Task Force on Hanjin under the Governor's Office, did not quit. In fact, we will never quit for as long as we find a need to fight for people's rights and the protection of the environment insofar as the operations of SBMA and Hanjin are concerned.
Very truly yours,
RAMON G. LACBAIN II
Former Zambales Vice Governor/
Chairman, People's Task Force on Hanjin & Subic Bay Inc.
www.ramonlacbain.com
The Editor
Philippine Star
Dear Editor:
Your news story on page 18 of your July 16, 2008 issue entitled "Task Force Hanjin members quit after 13th worker" has somehow put the members in bad light. The story is misleading.
Indeed, we, the task force members, resigned but not quitted. We resigned because we saw the need to strengthen and expand the task force on Hanjin by including as members all interested sectors of the community, something that was not possible if we remained under the Office of the Governor. There as a local law - Executive Order No. 1 Series of 2007 - that limits the membership only to six people.
We resigned because we saw the need to have an independent task force to force those responsible for causing the many problems in Hanjin concerning people's rights and environmental protection to accept responsibility, correct the errors and improve the situation.
We resigned because we have already successfully formed an independent, strengthened and expanded task force - the People's Task Force on Hanjin and Subic Bay Inc. It is an NGO properly registered with the SEC even prior to our resignation.
We resigned not in defiance to the Governor, as what our detractors announce, but in support of his good cause for the people of Zambales. In fact, in our resignation letter, we even asked for the Governor's support because we believed that with him our fight would even become stronger.
We resigned because we are already tired of traditional politics. Oftentimes, whenever we faced SBMA and Hanjin in trying to settle the problems concerning gross human rights violations emanating from Hanjin operation, these two would not directly face us. Instead, they would run to the Governor for cover. They would use - and abuse - every opportunity to make the Office of the Governor as an excuse to avoid negotiating with us directly and settle the problems squarely. Probably because they knew that the task force didn't play politics. When we raised an issue, we wanted a straight answer, not tomorrow but today.
We understand that in politics - especially as it is practiced in this country - certain considerations, allowances, leeway and conveniences have to be made for nothing but purely political reasons. Indeed, being under the Governor's Office, we felt that our actions were somehow limited. In difference to the Governor, we oftentimes found ourselves at a loss in the face of the two giants - SBMA and Hanjin. Out of respect to the Governor and for fear that we might harm his office, we oftentimes took caution and tempered our boldness in fighting for people's rights.
Nevertheless, under the guidance of our good Governor, we have done our task and succeeded in achieving our goal. But this is tripartite effort. In oder to finally solve the problems, the SBMA and Hanjin had to do their parts also. We waited. Then we waited some more. . . until one day we could no longer wait. We finally saw light and resigned.
We, the former members of the Task Force on Hanjin under the Governor's Office, did not quit. In fact, we will never quit for as long as we find a need to fight for people's rights and the protection of the environment insofar as the operations of SBMA and Hanjin are concerned.
Very truly yours,
RAMON G. LACBAIN II
Former Zambales Vice Governor/
Chairman, People's Task Force on Hanjin & Subic Bay Inc.
www.ramonlacbain.com
Comments