MINTAL, Davao City –University of the Philippines in Mindanao (UPMin) students lighted candles at UP oblation circle Tuesday to “condemn the government’s incompetence in addressing the needs of the victims of typhoon Yolanda.”
The activity, led by Katipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP (Kasama sa UP), which is dubbed as “#OneForJustice” is in line with the UP system-wide solidarity with UP Visayas in Tacloban and Palo campuses which were directly hit by typhoon Yolanda.
Kasama sa UP Chairperson Eduardo Gabral told Davao Today that they “aim to unite the entire UP community in demanding relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction for the affected campuses.”
Gabral said the neglect happening in UP is not far from the experiences of Yolanda survivors in the Visayas.
“Kasama sa UP, together with Tulong Kabataan and People Surge demand accountability to the Aquino government who has become consistent in delivering injustice to the people,” Gabral said.
Aynaderka Sison of Tulong Kabataan in Southern Mindanao region (Kabataan Partylist’s Relief Network) said that the survivors’ situation is “saddening and outraging.”
“Oo nga, nakasurvive sila sa bagyo ngunit makakasurvive ba ulit sila sa state negligence na ginagawa ng gobyerno? (Yes, they’d survived the typhoon, but can they survive from state negligence?),” Sison asked.
Sison said that “it is very ironic because there are billions of budget including foreign aid which were given for the victims but the amounts are nowhere to be found.”
Tuesday’s candle-lighting was participated by members of Alyansa ng mga Aktibong Kabataan sa UP Mindanao (ANAK UPMIN), University Student Council, and Himati, the official publication of UPMin. (davaotoday.com)
