Singers, artists’ managers, workers’ group appeal ABS-CBN franchise renewal

Representatives of organizations of singers, artists’ managers, and labor groups have issued an appeal to Congress to grant the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN.

The Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Professional Artists Managers Inc. (PAMI) and labor center Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) asked lawmakers to consider the livelihood of affected workers during the House panel hearing on Tuesday.

According to OPM president Ogie Alcasid, the network has allowed many local artists to achieve their potential and helped alleviate their families’ lives through its various programs and platforms.

“Naniniwala po kami na napakalaki po ng naitulong at maitutulong pa ng kanilang music platforms upang matulungan po ang ating mga local singers at songwriters na maipalabas at maiparinig ang kanilang created content tulad ng kanilang mga awitin at ang kanila pong performances,” said Alcasid.

Professional Artist Managers Inc. (PAMI) president June Rufino also sought the Congress’ consideration for its members and their families.

“It is our humble plea to the honorable franchise committee to find it in your hearts and consciousness the future of over 5,000 families who are dependent and hopeful for your affirmative decision on the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN,” said Rufino.

“Without the production employment from ABS-CBN, a significant number of taxpaying Filipino artists will be burdened by their subsequent loss of income,” she added.

In the hearing, labor group Sentro proposed to include pro-worker provisions in the network’s franchise renewal and expressed that the threat of retrenchment was inhumane.

“Naniniwala po kami na dapat natin itong ituloy para pag-usapan din ang kapakananan ng mga kasalukuyang empleyado ng ABS-CBN Corporation. Ang magkaroon ng aabot sa 11,000 na manggagawa na humaharap sa pangamba sa kanilang kabuhayan sa gitna ng isang pandemya, sa aming pananaw, ay isang immoral, hindi makatao, at simpleng maling pangayayari,” said Sentro campaign officer Benjamin Miguel Alvero.

ABS-CBN COO for broadcast Cory Vidanes, meanwhile, said the network’s workers continued to support the company despite fears of losing their jobs.

“Ang mga Kapamilya namin ay puno ng pangamba at takot para sa kinabukasan nila at ng kanilang pamilya. Pero patuloy po sila na nagdadasal, sumusuporta, at umaasa na marenew ang aming franchise para po makasigurado sa kinabukasan ng kanilang mga pamilya at para po makapagpatuloy kaming magserbisyo sa mga Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng aming mga programang nagbibigay impormasyon, edukasyon, inspirasyon, pag-asa, at saya,” she said. – RC, GMA News