Workers union backing Arroyo

A workers union has expressed support for President Gloria Arroyo and asked her to go on with her economic programs and focus on her work for the good of the country.

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines issued this statement of support amid a series of controversies hounding the Arroyo administration demanding her resignation, and in the wake of the country's latest credit rating downgrade simultaneously issued by international credit rating agencies Fitch, Standards and Poor's and Moody's.

TUCP and its 21 allied labor organizations around the country also challenged political leaders, the church, and the basic sectors and all democratic institutions to mobilize their constituencies to take on the collective responsibility of leading the country out of the present problem. They urged the Filipinos not to sideline the country's urgent economic problems while they continue to fight to overcome the political crisis.

"The downgrade, coupled by falling stocks and further depreciation of the peso should be enough reasons for us to come-around from this temporary flux and get our acts together and prevent the country from falling into a more severe economic depression," the group's statement said.

Other labor groups also said that the government should listen to the workers' call for unity and discernment and go back to the business of nation building.

"While we recognize that the issue against the president is far from over, we have to address equally important issues on unemployment, inflation, the budget deficit, poverty, food security, among many other things," they pointed out.

Despite all the happenings in the country, the workers remain optimistic that the country under the Arroyo administration can still pick up and make a dramatic economic turnaround.

TUCP noted that local and international investors are deeply concerned over the stability of the country and expressed apprehension that some of them may in fact pull out from the country that could result to retrenchments and lay-off of workers.

Meanwhile, naval forces stationed in Lapu-Lapu City are now intensifying their sea patrol at the waters off Cebu and neighboring provinces of the Visayas region to prevent the entry of those who are involved in illegal activities and who might take advantage of the present situation of the country.

Navforcen chief Commodore Ludovico Franco said they are strengthening their detachments in different provinces.

Franco who was previously assigned at Ready Force in Sangley Point, Cavite, replaced Commodore Alfredo Abueg Jr. who was re-assigned at the Philippine Fleet in Sangley Point.

Franco vowed to continue the program Abueg had started and assured of an intensified campaign against smuggling of forest products.

However, Franco said they need the support of other law enforcement agencies and local officials through the Bantay Dagat program.