National-democratic organizations in the National Capital Region (NCR) continue their efforts to promote the Jose Maria Sison School (JMS) and other similar educational programs to reach more people. The JMS School was relaunched in October.

On November 12, the second series of study sessions, the Espesyal na Kurso para sa Manggagawa (ESKUM Manggagawa), was held in Novaliches, Quezon City, where young students and workers participated. Manila Today reported that the JMS School collaborated with the Crispin Beltran School (PCB) to launch the study session.

The workers’ situation and their struggles were discussed in the study session, particularly in light of the approaching Andres Bonifacio Day on November 30, also known as Araw ng Anakpawis (Day of the Toiling Masses). Principal and main PCB instructor Andrea Trinidad opened the study session, Manila Today reported.

Also attending the study session were members of the University Hotel Workers Union at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. Union president Boying Samonte shared their experiences as workers and their ongoing struggles against the hotel management.

“In our case, flexible working hours make our jobs intolerable because it forces us to perform all-around jobs… few workers are hired even during peak times when customers abound,” Samonte said in a Manila Today interview. He explained the absence of overtime pay and violation of other rights.

Members of Defend Jobs Philippines, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kabataan Partylist-NCR, League of Filipino Students-NCR, and Sining Bugkos also participated in the study session.

Meanwhile, on October 19 in a community in North Caloocan, the JMS School discussed the issue of genuine land reform in line with the observance of Peasant Month.