DAYS before the commemoration of International Labor Day, activist youth organization Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) held a daring stunt to challenge mall owners and retailers to open their groceries and inventories to the public who are suffering for more than a year under the pandemic.
Dozens of its members stormed different malls, groceries, and convenience stores across the country holding up signage that read, “Kung kaya ng ordinaryong tao, bakit hindi ng mga bilyonaryo” and “Kumuha ng ayon sa pangangailangan” and had their picture taken.
Fortunately, no untoward incidents occurred between the daring young activists and company guards.
For the past weeks, community pantries have sprouted all over the country with the intent of addressing the needs of the people and binding the community together. Despite being devastated by the pandemic, the people still manage to contribute whatever resources they have.
“It is only logical to ask if it’s possible for ordinary people to reach out, then why can’t billionaires do it as well? With all the riches they have accumulated throughout their decades of operations and unfair labor practices, opening their stores and bodegas is the least they can do,” said John Lazaro, national coordinator and spokesperson of SPARK.
“Even at a time of pandemic they still earn more than enough money to keep them afloat, while the others barely earn a living compared to what they work for,” he added. “The incomes of ordinary people are nothing compared to these billionaires and yet they are the ones who are willing to share what little amount they have.”
The group pointed out how the rich remain unshaken at a time of the pandemic. Their salaries and even bonuses significantly increased as reported in the media.
“The wealth that they have is much more than what they need. They have no reason to not help the poor and the needy,” he argued.
The group warned that it would be better for retailers to give away their stock to the needy than wait for the hungry multitude to start a food riot in order for them to survive the pandemic and the criminal negligence of the Duterte regime. (Spark)
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