Urban poor group to PNoy: Do it [Says Palace intervention, still lacking, palliative; asks to scrap E-Vat on oil]

RELEASE l September 15, 2011

MANILA, Philippines—“If there would be happy about the result yesterday’s dialogue between the transport groups and Malacanang, it should be the urban poor sector, but we doubt if any of the initial agreements would materialize and would give the ease that we need. Even if we believe Malacanang’s action is nothing but palliative, we still challenge PNoy and his cabinet to at least do what it promised the transport groups,” expressed Carlito Badion, Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) national vice chair. "No other president has dared to review Oil Deregulation Law (ODL) since it was enacted into a law."

This afternoon, North Triangle residents and members of Kadamay continued their terminal hopping to convince drivers and passengers to join the upcoming transport strike on Monday. They distributed leaflets against to drivers in a jeepney terminal in EDSA cor. Quezon Ave.

“We have long clamored for the abolition of Oil Deregulation Law. At least an agreement to review the said law was made, but revision of the said law will not suffice. We want it abolished,” he adds.

“The government must scrap the 12% E-Vat on oil, where it earns billions every year from consumers’ who are earning below the minimum wage,” he adds.

According to the group, the approach to end the problem related to oil is a two-way process. First, you take away the privilege given by ODL to the oil firms (the need for the nationalization of the oil industry).

Secondly, you provide the consumers with sources of income through jobs and employment. Significant wage increase should be done as well.

“Unless these are done, Malacanang intervention is palliative,” Badion says.

On the upcoming transport strike
The group lauded the plan of the unabated transport strike of Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) who was dissatisfied with their yesterday’s dialogue with Malacanang. “We are glad Piston still plans to continue the transport strike to highlight the urgency for the government to act on the issue.”

“Every day is an added burden to the urban poor as the oil firms continue their overpricing scheme, and the government continues collecting the E-Vat on oil. Malacanang’s statement usually remains as statement. As the oil price hikes remain unabated, we still need to rally against it and earn the support from wider public consumers,” Badion ends.###

REFERENCE: Carlito Badion, Kadamay National Vice Chair l 09393873736