Author Topic: Discrimination in Panglao Island?  (Read 1085 times)

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Discrimination in Panglao Island?
« on: April 23, 2012, 08:45:58 AM »
by Ric V Obedencio
Bohol Standard

As tourism here booms, work discrimination among beach workers is becoming almost the order of the day that may eventually deprive them of their bread and butter, said a member of masseurs organization.

This surfaced recently as the Tagbilaran-resident-members of the beleaguered Bohol United Masseuses and Masseurs Association (BUMMA) based here bluntly accused Barangay and municipal officials of what they described as “form of discrimination and harassment” against them. But officials here were quick to deny the allegations.

The masseurs said in interview last week that Tawala barangay captain and other officials literally drove them away from their work place, warning them not to engage anymore in massage services to tourists at the beach front and resorts here for the simple reason that they’re not Panglao residents. If they do, they will be arrested by the tourist police thru the order of Mayor Benedicto Alcala and Tawala Barangay captain Zenon Labaya, said Susan Sumbilon, treasurer of the association and a certain Julita Galao in interview last week.

Because of this predicament that they might lose their only source of livelihood, the group cries for help from Capitol officials, quoting Gov. Edgar Chatto as saying the province will extend the necessary assistance to them.

The masseurs who trooped to the Capitol for help last week said that the governor has already referred their gripe to the Provincial Legal Office led by Atty. John Mitchell Boiser.

Divided

Because of what the mayor and Barangay captain have done to them, the association is divided into two ---- the Tagbilaran group and those of Panglao residents.

Competition and even tug-of-war in who-offer-first-to-client have resulted to the manhandling of a certain Melissa Enderez, 41, a Tagbilaranon, by another masseus Merly Dayuday of Panglao, who reportedly has the backing of the town officials.

The physical injuries inflicted to Enderez by Dayuday resulted to medico-legal examination that showed “contusion, approximately 3 cms X 4 in size, upper third lateral aspect, upper extremity, right and multiple linear abrasions, upper third, lateral aspect, upper extremity, right.” The examination and findings of the injuries was conducted by municipal health officer Dr. Julita L. Cogo, M. D.

Permits, refund

Worst, they said, some of them have already renewed their permits and even paid the necessary fees for the permit while others’ application were not approved by the mayor. They were told by the mayor that those who already paid their dues to the municipality may get the refund because the mayor appeared not to approve their license applications, they alleged.

A case in point, Sumbilon, whose address is Tawala, Panglao, has already paid a total amount of PhP2,270 for the permit and other fees with official receipt number 2251768 issued to her dated February 02, 2012 by municipal treasurer Rena D. Guivencan.

This is broken down to building official, PHP50; certification, PhP50; garbage/health fee, PhP55; Mayor’s permit, PhP200; miscellaneous, PhP50; Personnel fee, PhP100; police clearance, PhP50; sanitary permit, PhP100; treasurer’s clearance fee, PhP50; and tax on service for first quarter, PhP1,565, or a total of PhP PhP2,270.

The same is true to others and to a certain Maria Helces Galeos, whose address is Dao district, Tagbilaran City.

Accreditation

BUMMA with address at Barangay Tawala of this town is being accredited with the Department of Labor (DOLE) with registration No. 4687 based on the Labor Code of the Philippines.

BUMMA “has been registered as and conferred with all rights and privileges of a legitimate workers association established for the mutual aid and protection of its members. It shall promote the moral, social and economic well-being of its members and shall have the right to represent them in accordance with its constitution and by-laws for purposes not contrary to law,” DOLE pointed out.

Galao and Sumbilon said their members who have already practiced their profession as accredited masseus and masseurs have undergone training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Both bared that they have pioneered the massage services here that they each earned about PhP300 to PhP500, depending on the number of clients they serve on a given day.

Measure

Tawala officials have enacted on January27, 2012 Barangay Ordinance No. 01, series of 2012, “regulating the massage activities,” in this Barangay. The said Ordinance is signed by barangay captain Labaya as certified by secretary Dionisia A. Guigue. But the ordinance did not provide for exclusion of anybody who is not from this town from practicing their massage services.

The said Barangay massage measure is also approved on March 26, 2012 by the Sangguniang Bayan by virtue of Municipal Resolution No. 69, series of 2012, declaring the said ordinance as valid. The Resolution is signed by Vice-Mayor and presiding officer Dr. Evangeline Lazaro, M. D. as certified by SB secretary Analyn Alcala-Apduhan.

But contrary to claim by some masseurs, the said barangay ordinance did not prohibit anybody who is not from this town from practicing massage services.

The said measure provides penalties for the defined violations.

Response

Mayor Alcala said in text message last Friday that he cannot issue permits to these masseurs since they failed to secure Barangay clearance despite the fact that they were already issued ORs showing they already paid the municipal fees as required by the ordinance.

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