ABS-CBN’s offices will soon be emptier as retrenchment takes effect on August 31. ABS-CBN personalities couldn’t help but sympathize and be saddened by the situation that employees have to face.
Broadcast Journalist Karen Davila paid tribute to the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group which will see a lot of employees retrenched from Luzon to Mindanao.
“This is one of the most important forms of public service that ABS-CBN took on ahead of the rest. ABS-CBN did this even when it wasn’t profitable. To give municipalities and provinces all over the country their own VOICE. For injustices in their own towns to be heard. Masakit.”
This is one of the most important forms of public service that ABSCBN took on ahead of the rest. ABSCBN did this even when it wasn’t profitable. To give municipalities and provinces all over the country their own VOICE. For injustices in their own towns to be heard. Masakit. https://t.co/3kZBY60Zcq
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) August 28, 2020
ABS-CBN Correspondent Chiara Zambrano was saddened when ABS-CBN Regional Network Group aired their final newscast,
“Today, all stations of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group across the country will air their final newscast. These providers of credible news to local communities – in their language – will go dark forever. In this endless chain of painful days, today hurts deeper than others.”
Today, all stations of the ABS-CBN Regional Network Group across the country will air their final newscast.
These providers of credible news to local communities – in their language – will go dark forever.
In this endless chain of painful days, today hurts deeper than others. pic.twitter.com/ej1bYGOxD9
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) August 28, 2020
Teleserye writer Jerry Gracio also tweeted how painful it is for ABS CBN Regional Network group to close especially it is one of the arms that promotes traditional dialects.
“Partida, Buwan ng Wika nagsara ang ABS-CBN Regional na nagtataguyod ng mga katutubong wika. Nakakagalit.”
Partida, Buwan ng Wika nagsara ang ABS-CBN Regional na nagtataguyod ng mga katutubong wika. Nakakagalit.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) August 28, 2020
MOR’s DJ Chacha, DJ Chico Martin, and DJ Ana Ramsey said their last farewells as the radio station shut down.
“Masakit, mabigat sa loob magpaalam dito sa tahanan ko,” DJ Chacha said in her farewell message. “Pero naniniwala akong may dahilan kung bakit kailangan pagdaanan natin ‘to.”
“Si Lord lang ako nakakaalam, siya lang din ang makakasagot. Kaya kahit gaano kasakit at gaano kahirap magpaalam, kailangan gawin ko… Meron siyang mas magandang plano para sa ating lahat.”
Workers, supporters, and advocates for press freedom attend a candle lighting ceremony during a solidarity event on Friday to help retrenched ABS-CBN workers outside Quezon City’s network head office.
ABS-CBN’s regional offices said goodbye after congress’ refusal to award ABS-CBN a franchise.
Today, hundreds of media workers will lose their jobs as ABS-CBN’s regional stations air their final newscasts across the country.#defendpressfreedom #standwithabscbn pic.twitter.com/GtGBnHirXj
— Raffy Lerma (@raffylerma) August 28, 2020
70 people killed RNG. Don’t forget that. https://t.co/wTOwguJRfD
— Jeff Canoy (@jeffcanoy) August 28, 2020
The move led to the retrenchment of thousands of employees and the end of entire divisions including, among others, ABS-CBN International, ABS-CBN Sports, and ABS-CBN News’ current affairs arm.