P-Noy's first SONA: a 'battle for the basic necessities', says group

NEWS RELEASE
26 Jul 2010

P-Noy's first SONA: a 'battle for the basic necessities', says group

President Noynoy Aquino's first State of the Nation Address (SONA), for all the much-ballyhooed 'shock' that it will supposedly cause, will have to answer to the urban poor for the administration's policies on two very basic necessities, said the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).

"The planned scrapping of rice subsidies, and the existing system of privatized water services that has led to the current shortage," said Carlito Badion, Kadamay vice chair. "The state of the coffers is important. But he has to provide much-needed relief to the urban poor... above everything else, this SONA is a battle for these basic necessities."

'Increase rice subsidies'

The results of the second quarter survey of the SWS, which showed that 21.1% of families continue to experience hunger, is proof that the Aquino administration should not push through with its plan to nix rice subsidies, said the group.

"If anything, this shows that the Aquino administration must instead increase rice subsidies, in order for cheap rice to be made available in the public markets," said Badion.

Hunger has remained over 20% for three successive quarters, noted the SWS, including a record-high 24% in the fourth quarter of 2009. 'Severe' hunger even rose by 1.4%, or an increase of about 250,000 families, from the first to the second quarter of this year.

The Department of Finance, along with other concerned agencies, has announced this month that a "decision has been reached" for government to stop subsidizing the price of rice, and let market forces alone determine prices. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, meanwhile, has said that it has been agreed "on principle" to scrap the government's 'food-for-school' program.

Both decisions await President Aquino's final approval, the departments said.

"The government is saying that this has to be done in the name of fiscal reform, in light of the NFA's (National Food Authority) massive debts," said Badion. "Yet we seem to recall that one of Aquino's campaign promises is to provide cheap rice by curbing corruption -- and this is what he should do to improve the government's finances, not by sacrificing the stomachs of millions of Filipinos in need of cheap rice."

'End water privatization'
Earlier, the group has made its call to "end water privatization" as a lasting solution to the severe water shortages being experienced in Metro Manila.

"In truth, there is no 'water crisis'," said Badion, "only a 'service crisis' by Maynilad. Clearly, there is something wrong with a system that has seen fit to increase water rates by more than 400% over the past 13 years, yet couldn't assure quality and reliable services to its consumers.

"Such is the essence of privatization," Badion continued. "These concessionaires aren't truly responsible to the public. Their real interest is to turn up profits."##

Reference Carlito Badion, Kadamay Vice Chair | 0939.387.3736

For further details, please contact Jon Vincent Marin, Kadamay PIO, at 0910.975.7660.