Bangon Pilipino launched for unity vs poverty

Business, labor and Church leaders launched yesterday an independent movement aimed at reducing poverty and generating employment among Filipinos.

In launching the Bangon Pilipino Movement, the group vowed to embrace the principles of corporate governance and social responsibility, responsible trade unionism and social activism, and constructive social dialogue.

El Shaddai spiritual leader Bro. Mike Velarde, who was among those who signed the covenant, said Bangon Pilipino Movement is a call to set aside hatred and vengeance to give way for genuine national healing and reconciliation to restore faith, love, and confidence among the people.

"Today is born Bangon Pilipino Movement, a movement born out of our concern for our country’s economic survival, recovery and growth," he said.

"A movement born out of the need to arrest too much partisan politics and vested interests, self-preservation to give way to genuine statesmanship and politics centered on economic development and our country’s peace and order, a movement born out of the growing despair and hopelessness of our people," he said.

It is a call for Filipinos to rise above their indifference to the deteriorating political and social order and jointly take initiatives for the country to survive and remain united, Velarde added.

The business, labor and church leaders called on the public to rise above personal interests and take a more pro-active and decisive role in charting the country’s destiny.

Present at the launching at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan were representatives of the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Philippines Inc., Bishops-Businessmen’s Conference (BBC), El Shaddai, Iglesia ni Cristo, UP Center for Labor and Grassroots Initiatives, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), and other business, labor and church groups.