As the State of the Nation Address (SONA) draws near, various progressive and civil society groups, sectors and concerned individuals gathered earlier today for the People’s Summit to unite and raise to the newly-installed Marcos Jr administration their fighting demands that are counter to the anti-people market-driven neoliberal framework.

Over 300 individuals and almost 100 organizations gathered for the event themed “Tunay na Pagkakaisa para sa Tunay na Pagbabago” at the People’s Hall, Quezon Memorial Circle.

This followed three days of pre-summit workshops where sectors and organizations proposed and developed basic reforms needed to address the worsening conditions of the country. Divided into six clusters, fighting demands were formulated for the following areas: the economy, social services, human rights and peace, good governance, national sovereignty, and freedom of expression. The People’s Summit and the People’s Agenda presented are a culmination of these efforts.

While not new, today’s summit comes at a time of grave economic and political crisis mirrored by the proliferation of political dynasties, oligarchs and foreign powers that have benefited from government’s rabid advancement of almost 50 years of neoliberal policies. For the people, this has meant an unprecedented jobs crisis, poverty, deteriorating social and public services, environmental destruction and the violation of people’s rights.

The 2022 elections, participating organizations noted, has also resulted in the installation of a new administration that lacks a legitimate mandate.

The summit has affirmed how the presented People’s Agenda and demands are not merely suggestions. These will be at the heart of the people’s continuing fight for accountability and for a comprehensive plan for genuine change.

IBON is a co-sponsor of the People’s Summit along with the Movement for Good Governance and Genuine Democracy (MG3D), the Makabayan Bloc,  and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).