100-Kilometer Walk For Food, Jobs And Genuine Land Reform Starts Today At Escalante City

The militant labor and farmers group starts today the 100-kilometer "LAKBAYAN for Food, Jobs, and Genuine Land Reform” to signal the week-long preparations for the big rally on the May 1 Labor Day. 

Around 300 marchers belonging to NFSW, KMP, PAMALAKAYA and other allied organizations of BAYAN joins the long march to Bacolod City. They are expected to converge along with the south LAKBAYAN on the night of April 30 and joining the camp-out at the DOLE office. On May 1, they will participate in the big Labor Day rally at the Bacolod Public Plaza sponsored by Kilusang Mayo Uno and BAYAN. 
 
  
Braving the scorching heat and an intermittent rain showers, the long marchers carried their streamers and placards calling for P125-across-the-board wage increase, more government subsidy for the seasonal sugar workers and the end to the military atrocities in the hinterland communities of Northern Negros.  
  
“The Lakbayan is a propaganda battalion of the marginalized and oppressed  sectors of the Negros society for genuine land reform, the  bastion of land monopoly in the country. The call to dismantle the land monopoly in Negros will be a deafening cry in the ears of the big business and landlords”.
  
“The call for land reform and wage increase is warmly supported by the people by showing their support to the Lakbayan. It is not only urgent but as well as a legitimate democratic demands that should be prioritize by the government and not by sending army troops, recruiting CAFGU and Barangay Defense System and the charter change.  

It is heartening to see people providing the marchers with water, bread and other materials as they passes along roadside communities.  The marchers were also warmly receives by Catholic priest and parishioners of Escalante City , Sagay City and Pabrica, Sagay. 
 
Saboteurs believe to be members of the 62nd IBPA tried to infiltrate the ranks of the marchers, perhaps to sow sabotage and harassed the participants of the lakbayan. They were however exposed and warned by the marchers. Organizers expect more harassments as the march goes on towards Bacolod City . 

“Scorching heat, rains and military harassment will not stop us in our advocacy. We are determined to reach Bacolod City for the May Day Rally”.  

BAYAN expects the long march to reach one thousands by the time they reach Bacolod City on April 30.