THE BACOLOD SIDEWALK by: Owen S. Bayog

Walking on the side of the streets of Bacolod will be as crowded as this one - A photo shot at Libertad Market yesterday afternoon when a question in my mind popped like - Side what?

Bacolod City - the problem of the City sidewalks remain to be what it is - 

crowded with vendors and illegal structures.

The City is told to be a place where people can thrive, but for whom should these sidewalks belong? Is it for the vendors because they are the ones who need to survive and earn a living? What about the people who pay their taxes? Should they also be given the right to be on the sidewalks and be safe on the City streets?

Understanding the economics of man - but whose right are we talking about here?

What about the laws and regulations in the City, where and to whom shall it be applied?

STREET CHILDREN IN THE CITY (005) By: Owen S. Bayog

Government should be held responsible for the growing population of street children roaming in the City, Bacolod - which had been cited to be a "child friendly" and "livable City" in the country.

WORKERS HIT THE STREETS TO DEMAND WAGE INCREASE By: Owen S. Bayog

I vividly recalled when I was still an activist when we launched a nationwide campaign 

for wage increase for workers, today I was covering the labor day rally and all the more I believe that a national legislation should be made now for the P125 Wage Increase for private workers and P6,000 for the Government employees.

The prices of oil and other commodities had gone up several times and the real value for the wage increase that was proposed several years ago has diminished - amid the present crisis, a wage increase for the workers 

will momentarily ease the burden of the people but will not address the economic imbalance brought about by the unjust distribution of wealth and power in the country.   

STREET CHILDREN IN THE CITY (004) By: Owen S. Bayog

Without parental guidance children living on the streets may succumb to this one.  

A photo shot in 2006 during the MassKara Festival of Bacolod City.

STREET CHILDREN IN THE CITY (003) By: Owen S. Bayog

The population of street beggars which are mostly children continue to rise.

STREET CHILDREN IN THE CITY (002) By: Owen S. Bayog

Street Children - are those who live in the streets, some because of poverty, others ran away from home due to abuse.  Deprived by family care and protection - who will care and protect them?

STREET CHILDREN IN THE CITY (001) By: Owen S. Bayog

Public Officials both in the local and national level have promised the people that their lives will be better - time passed, others retain their posts but the plight of the people in the streets has not changed at all.