Mendoza, Associated Labor Unions founder, Dies At 92

Lawyer Democrito T. Mendoza, labor leader and founder of the Cebu-based Associated Labor Unions (ALU), died due to a lingering illness last Tuesday. He was 92.

He was the chairman of ALU, the biggest affiliate of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

He was president of TUCP for 36 years.

Mendoza was also a member of the Governing Council of the Geneva-based International Labor Organization and was a founding president of the Association of South East Asian Nations Trade Union Council.

He was instrumental in converting the National Arrastre and Stevedoring Corp. into Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp. (Opascor) during the time of President Corazon Aquino.

Opascor is now a successful workers’ enterprise where employees earn at least PHP800 a day.

Mendoza was a World War II veteran and a military reservist, with a rank of full colonel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He served as a member of the board of the Philippine Veterans Bank.

He is survived by his wife, former Social Security System (SSS) Commissioner Marianita D. Mendoza, his 14 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mendoza’s remains lie in state at the JSU-PSU Mariner’s Court at the ALU Compound in Pier 1, Cebu City.

The family has yet to announce the date of the funeral. (PNA) RMA/EB/EDS