Slow and painful death amidst social injustice

by Brotherhood of IRRI Support Services Group

In 15 September 2005, another member of the Brotherhood of IRRI Support Services Group (BISSIG) succumbed to slow and painful death. LEONCIO “Ka Leoncio” MERCADO died at the age of 63 as results of various illnesses such as kidney failure, acute arthritis, and tuberculosis and iron deficiency. He was bed-ridden for almost 6 months after his confinement at the provincial hospital in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. And due to high cost of medicines and laboratory examination, his bereaved family could not provide all the necessary medication since they have no constant source of income.

Ka. Leoncio is one of the 580 Filipino workers and farm-workers that were arbitrarily terminated by International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in 1997. BISSIG then filed several cases against IRRI at the Department of Labor and Employment. Unfortunately, however, all cases against IRRI were dismissed not on merit but simply because of Presidential Decree 1620.

Despite of legal setback, Ka. Leoncio is determine to continue the struggle against IRRI. Together with his late brother, BISSIG president Ka. Mundo Mercado, Ka. Leoncio actively participated in several protest-actions against IRRI. “Pinipilit nya na sumama kahit masama ang pakiramdam”. “Para sa kanya, mahalaga ang pagkilos hindi lamang dahil sa tinanggal sya ng IRRI kundi ang sapilitan pagbili ng lupang sinasaka nila”, one BISSIG member said. “Noon malakas-lakas pa ang katawan nya’, aktibo sya’ sa mga pulong ng ANAKPAWIS”, sayang talaga ang taong tulad nya”.

The said faith that befallen to Ka. Leoncio is not isolated but rather widespread among former IRRI workers. He worked as farm worker in IRRI for almost 28 years and during his employment, he was physically exposed to various toxic chemicals, pesticides and herbicides. And yet, despite of adverse reality, the government remains unmindful and opted to uphold the political interest of IRRI rather of Filipino workers and farmers instead.

BISSIG
Brotherhood of IRRI Support Services Group
Pook 3, Barangay Paciano Rizal, Bay, Laguna

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Open Letter to Legislative Bodies:

Urgent Inquisition on Status of House Bill No. 374 and
Senate Bill No. 1408

For and in behalf of former workers/farm workers of
the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), I
would like to inquire about the status of House Bill
374 and Senate Bill No. 1408 filed before the
honorable chamber of the 13th Congress.

Both bills is “an act protecting the rights to labor
of the workers of the International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) as enshrined by the 1987 Constitution
amending for the purpose Article 3 of Presidential
Decree No. 1620 and for other purposes”. House Bill
No. 374 was introduced by Honorable Roseller L.
Barinaga while Senate Bill No. 1408 was authored by
Honorable Senator Francis Pangilinan.

Since the 10th Congress, we have been advocating for
amendment and/or repeal of PD 1620 on the ground that
IRRI is not an international organization and that PD
1620 violated the constitution rights of Filipino
workers and farmworkers. Further, PD 1620 contravene
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights thus, a
complete reversal of ILO conventions such as “freedom
of association and protection of the right to
organize” and “right to organize and collective
bargaining”.

The necessity and urgency of both bills relies not
only on political and constitutional issues but also
on health and lives of aggrieved farmers and
farmworkers living in the communities surrounding
IRRI. In fact, last 15 September 2005, another BISSIG
officer succumbed to death due to various illnesses as
result of physical exposure to pesticide, herbicides
and chemicals used during his stint as farm worker in
IRRI. Leoncio Mercado is the 6th BISSIG officer to
die while awaiting for considerable relief from the
legislative chambers. Mercado was employed in IRRI
for more than 20 years and was arbitrarily terminated
in 1997. However, all cases filed by BISSIG against
IRRI in DOLE were dismissed not on merit but simply
because of PD 1620. Mercado unceremoniously died in
the name of rice research.

In view of the foregoing, may we again call for speedy
disposition of House Bill No. 374 and Senate Bill No.
1408 hence, we do prayed that the Philippine
government will have a strong political will to uphold
the rights and welfare of Filipino above the political
interest of IRRI.

JUN LAYOSA
Spokesperson
Brotherhood of IRRI Support Services Group
20 September 2005