Unfulfilled promises blamed for tambays

Members of various cause-oriented groups in Cebu blamed President Rodrigo Duterte why many Cebuanos ended up as “tambays,” saying the president failed to fulfill his campaign promises in the past two years since he assumed the presidency.

The militant groups gathered in front of the Regional Police Office-7 headquarters yesterday morning to express their indignation on the government's policy to arrest loiterers.

The protest rally was led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Central Visayas. The activity was dubbed as “Tambay Protest.”

Dyan Gumanao of BAYAN-Central Visayas said that Duterte's two years in office is full of failures and betrayal.

Gumanao said the president failed and betrayed his people by having accomplished nothing of his campaign promises. Instead, Duterte allegedly implemented policies that are against the rights of every person.

Gumanao said they purposely staged the rally in front of the police headquarters since the police are implementing the “Anti-Tambay” policy. Based on records, there were already over 1,000 loiterers arrested in Cebu province since the new policy was launched on July 13.

Gumanao said they condemn the “blind obedience” of the local police force to willingly follow the directives of the president even if these policies are violating human rights.

She pointed out that the groups are urging the police to stop the arrest of loiterers and rather respect the civil and democratic rights of every person.

She also emphasized that the government should rather address the root of the problem of the increasing number of loiterers because of unemployment, poor services in housing, education, and among other concerns.

Transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston) in Cebu said many drivers will soon end up jobless due to the proposed phaseout of old public utility jeepneys.

Migrante Cebu, composed of members of Overseas Filipino Workers, said many of them are unemployed because there are no better opportunities here in the country.

Youth group Kabataan partylist said many students nowadays dropped out from school because of the increasing tuition fees.

AKSYON health workers said several poor families are rather staying in streets than in hospitals because they could not afford medication or treatment services for their own sickness.

Farmers' association Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Cebu said several of them are without a job because their agricultural lands had been claimed.

Mandaue City has more than 2,000 JO workers assigned in different departments.

Almendras said the Human Resources Management Office (HRMO) is still preparing the appointments for the second semester of the year after determining the actual personnel requirements of the affected offices.

"In connection therewith, you are advised not to report to your