SAGUPA-SB to donate blood

Press Release
By SAGUPA-SB
August 25, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  Samahan han Gudti nga Parag-uma ha Sinirangan Bisayas (SAGUPA-SB), the widest alliance of peasants in the region has come a long way to advance the struggle of peasants for a genuine land reform free from feudal bondage and foreign domination.

SAGUPA-SB believes that the economic prosperity of the peasants could only be achieved through genuine land reform and feudal emancipation. According to Diana Ragub, Campaign and Advocacy Officer of the organization, significant number of invaluable victories were gained and realized such as lowering of land rent and farming tools, minimizing usury, wage hike for farm workers and bargaining for higher prices of farm produce, among others.

On its 17th year anniversary celebration, SAGUPA-SB is set to conduct bloodletting activity in coordination with the Philippine National Red Cross Leyte Chapter come August 28, 2006. Ragub said that the activity symbolizes SAGUPA-SB’s continuing struggle for peasant’s right to land, food and life.

It was in August 24, 1989 that SAGUPA-SB was founded to unite all small farmers, farm workers and subsistence fisherfolks in Eastern Visayas.

Ragub disclosed that the bloodletting activity is the best way to explain the alliance’s commitment of genuine service for the farmers despite the current spate of political killings affecting leaders and members of farmers’ groups not only in the region but in Central Luzon and in other parts of the country.

This can also be a big help to indigent patients, especially the poor farmers.

“Blood means life and it feels wonderful to donate a little amount of your blood so others may continue to live. Just like our martyr farmers and leaders who sacrificed and gave their lives for land, food, justice and human rights,” said Ragub.

“Our blood symbolizes our fallen martyrs like Florencio Agunos, 60, a farmer from Kananga, Leyte and one of SAGUPA-SB’s council members, who was shot by unidentified men last February 2006. Until now, his death, and the deaths of other farmers in the country has not seen justice,” said Ragub.

The bloodletting activity will start at 9:00 in the morning at the headquarters of the PNRC in Magsaysay Blvd. It is open to those interested and willing to donate blood. For details, feel free to contact Ms. Diana Ragub at 323-4244.