Urban poor group gears up for the big transport strike vs oil price hikes, overpricing

RELEASE l September 7, 2011

QUEZON CITY, Philippines—In preparation for the nationwide transport strike in the coming days, urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap do a massive leafleteering and invitation effort among the drivers and passengers today in transport terminals in the populated area along Litex Road in QC.

Transport groups have recently united to announce its plan of a big transport strike to protest the unabated oil price hikes including the overpricing done by the Big 3 oil cartels.

“The urban poor sector suffers most from this overpricing and price hikes, including the drivers and small operators. A single centavo increase in the price of oil is a big deduction to the income of the drivers, and to the small wage of ordinary citizens, who can barely make ends meet because of the backlash of increase in the price of basic commodities,” according to Carlito Badion, Kadamay national vice chair.

“Since Aquino steps in as president, oil price has increased around 30 times, while the wage of the workers has not experienced any significant increase since then. Does it mean that Aquino is more sympathetic to the oil cartels than to the toiling masses? His inaction on the oil overpricing issue and the unabated oil price hikes only shows the obvious collusion between the Palace and the Big 3,” he adds.

The militant group however is exalted by the recently forged unity among the country’s transport groups, saying that the oil price hikes have been so insurmountable that the only thing the transport groups can do is to speak in one voice to push this government to act on the pressing issue.

“When the big transport strike happens, we want to make sure that even the tricycle drivers and operators will join, so we hold this terminal-hopping. We also expect the urban poor passengers to join the protest, to register a loud call to the Aquino administration to act on the overpricing issue and the unabated oil price hikes,” he adds.

According to the group, the transport groups should further their unity by calling for the abolition of Oil Deregulation Law and the nationalization of the oil industry.

REFERENCE: Carlito Badion, Kadamay National Vice Chairperson (09393873736)