More than 100 church people from various Christian churches and labor-leaders in industry, services and agriculture in the island of Negros attended the second assembly of the Church People-Workers Solidarity-Negros (CWS-Negros). It was launched on September 16 in St. John Paul II Center, Redemptorist Shrine, Bacolod City.

The assembly, with the theme “Uphold and Defend the Human Work,” was launched to affirm the unity and solidarity of church people with workers. Rev. Fr. Ernie Lareda, CWS-Negros president, said they aimed to strengthen and revitalize CWS-Negros as an ecumenical organization that upholds and supports the Workers.

The gathering highlighted the re-launch of the Catechism at Work by Bishop Gerry Alminaza, D.D., bishop of the Diocese of San Carlos in Negros and one of the presidents of the CWS national office. Jerome Adonis, Kilusang Mayo Uno secretary general and Koalisyong Makabayan senatorial candidate, discussed the workers’ condition at the gathering.

Rev Alicris Vasques, of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, and CWS-Negros secretary general, explained the organization’s pastoral program include the formation of CWS Chapters in the local levels, massive education on Catechism on Labor, church social teachings concerning the workers, and the advocacy upholding the workers rights and welfare.