Highest tribute to Douglas Dumanon, great labor leader and beloved comrade

Kilusang Mayo Uno mourns the loss and pays highest homage to its Vice President for Federation Affairs, long time-labor leader, and beloved comrade Douglas Vizmanos Dumanon. He passed away 11:30 in the evening of January 25 due to multiple illness.

Early activism

Ka Douglas’ involvement in people’s struggles started when he joined the militant youth mass organization Kabataang Makabayan (KM) at 17, months before Marcos declared martial law. He was a college student then at the Pamatasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

When martial rule was imposed, Ka Douglas was one of those who were arrested and detained. When he was freed in 1973, he decided to become a full-time organizer of KM in various schools and communities. He became the National Education officer of KM.

Labor organizer

It was in 1977 when Ka Douglas became fully involved in the labor movement – he was elected union president of port company Luzon Stevedoring Corporation (Luzteveco) in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

He got involved in organizing and relating to other unions and national labor federations and alliances. He was crucial in the establishment of the Kilusang Mayo Uno in 1980, and was elected its founding National Treasurer.

While having tasks in the national office, he still continued to serve as union president. When KMU called for a general strike in 1982 against the Marcos dictatorship and worsening state of living under US domination, he led the strike of workers in Luzteveco. 

When KMU leaders were arrested en masse on Friday the 13th of August 1982, Ka Douglas was one of those who rose to take crucial national leadership tasks of the KMU.

National and multi-sectoral leader

Ka Douglas stirred the alliance work of KMU to independent federations and labor groups. He earned the respect of many unaffiliated groups, even those at odds with KMU. 

He was also crucial in confronting wrong ideologies and practices that proliferated inside the organization in the late 1980s to early 1990s. He recognized the errors of the organization he was with, and joined others in reviving the correct direction toward national democracy and genuine societal change. 

He was elected KMU Vice President for Federation Affairs in 2003, a post he maintained until his health took over him.

Ka Douglas was also a proletarian internationalist, as his alliance work reached more than 20 countries to strengthen relations with various foreign workers’ organizations.

He devoted much of his last active years in strengthening KMU’s mass organization for the urban poor, the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahiihirap (Kadamay). He contributed much to Kadamay’s expansion in various communities, organization of its national leadership, and national campaigns for livelihood and housing. 

Exemplary life

Ka Douglas spent more than 4 decades of dedicating his life to the plight of the marginalized masses. 

He was about to celebrate his 56th birthday on April 24 when his multiple illness took its toll on him last Monday. He discovered he has cancer of the throat on May 2008. He also suffered from pneumonia and diabetes. His one leg got amputated two years ago due to the severity of the diabetes. 

Humility, compassion, and dedication are the revolutionary virtues he exemplified most. He was often described by those who have worked closely with him as “one who doesn’t know how to get angry.” He never complains amidst difficulties, even during the start of the deterioration of his health. He was “always mild-mannered” in his ways that made comrades even more endeared to him. 

He was also a brilliant tactician in union struggles and in mass campaigns. He knows how to see the bigger picture in things and handles conflicts with maturity. 

Ka Douglas will forever be a pillar of the working class and the progressive movement. He will be an inspiration to us to pursue more the fight for genuine democracy and social change. This will be the greatest tribute we can give to our beloved Ka Douglas.

Ka Douglas is survived by his wife and six children. His remains lie at Sta. Cecilia Chapel, Sta. Cecilia Village, BF Homes in Las Piñas. A final tribute to his greatness will be held on Saturday at 5 pm, while his interment will be at the Manila Memorial Park on Sunday after an 8am mass at Sta. Cecilia.