APEC: Affecting Local Farmers and Students Through Neoliberalism

Rally partaking at Malolos Crossing, McArthur Highway, Bulacan

A rally against Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit was conducted on the premises of Malolos Crossing in Bulacan last Wednesday, November 18, 2015.

“Partido-Pagkakaisa ng Demokratikong Mag-aaral”(PDM) Bulacan State University’s Democratic student leaders and a group of local farmers congregated in Malolos, Bulacan in order to voice out their disapproval against the Philippines hosting of APEC Summit.

In spite the fact that APEC is insuring sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific regions, different groups and organizations in Bulacan and Pampanga are still against it due to the pronounced act of Neoliberalism.

“Mahirap na yung bansa natin e lalo pa nilang pahihirapan.” Said Jeff Raso, a farmer in Norzagaray Bulacan, when asked what his statement against APEC is.

“Neoliberalism is an approach to economic and social studies in which control of economic factors is shifted from public sector (Government) to the private sector.” – Investopedia

And the said effect of this approach according to PDM is a major change through privatisation of public infrastructures and establishments, such as the privatisation of state colleges and universities and further torment to local farmers and fishermen.

“Nakikiisa ang mga estudyante, ang PDM, dahil maapektuhan ang mga State Colleges dahil sa Privatisation (na epekto ng APEC). Gusto kasi ng gobyerno na mabawasan ang sinusustentuhan nitong mga State Universities and Colleges upang mapunta ang pondo sa ibang mga bagay at hindi para sa edukasyon. Kaya gusto nilang maging pribado ang karamihan  ng mga state colleges.” said Freud Alejandro, a member of PDM.

 Mr. Henry a farmer of San Luis Pampanga states his reason of joining the said rally.

“Laban kami sa APEC dahil pati ang mga kabuhayan namin e maapektuhan. Tulad na lamang ng sa  bigas, kung hindi kami makapaglalabas ng bigas e maaring mag-import ang ating pamahalaan mula sa ibang bansa, tulad na lang ng mga NFA(rice)”

From Malolos the ralliers shove their way to Manila, where the APEC Summit is, to ignite more power and to voice out all of their appeals against the possible neoliberalism due to APEC. 

**Here are some of the shots taken from the rally:**