PRESS RELEASE
February 2, 2011
“What good has this president done so far? There is none. Under the first few months of Aquino, he has proven that contrary to what he said in one of his campaign slogans that we are his bosses, he is a coddler of private interests!”
Members of the League of Filipino Students, ANAKBAYAN, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, KARATULA, National Union of Students of the Philippines and College Editors Guild of the Philippines issue a statement today to condemn incessant price and fare hikes and President Noynoy Aquino’s shameless protection of private interests over public welfare.
“Oil price hikes are in favor of Shell, Petron and Caltex! Oil prices have increases six times since November, and have caused the ceaseless increases in prices of basic commodities and almost all modes of land transportation. Mr. President, how about approving wage hike instead? The people cannot live like this!”, Terry Ridon, National Chairperson of the League of Filipino Students said.
These are the hikes approved and or implemented under Aquino:
P1.25 a liter for unleaded gasoline, P0.25 a liter for regular gasoline, P1.75 a liter for diesel, and P1.50 per liter for kerosene.
Almost 100% increase in MRT and LRT fare
P1.00 increase in Jeepney fare
P10.00 increase in taxi flag down rate, P1.00 increase/kilometer rate
12% increase in water rates
5 % to 10% increase in milk product prices
P1 increase in pan de sal price, P5 increase in loaf bread prices
P64/kilo price of sugar
Ridon condemned Aquino’s inaction to the hikes. “It is definitely not true that the increases are out of the President’s hands. Expanded Value Added Tax, Oil Deregulation Law, Private-Public Partnerships. All these have caused the hikes! This President is quick to protect and ensure the profits of oil cartels and huge corporations.”
“This is what happens when your president is a dummy of big corporations: the people suffer! Mr. Aquino, please explain. Why do you put forth the interest of these big companies over that of the people, just like what Arroyo did? Is it because you are a haciendero, empathize with the richest in the land, and know how it feels if they can’t buy the luxury cars they want?”, Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan spokeperson said.
Crisostomo said that if Aquino would not do anything about the hikes, youth groups swear to rock the palace with protests.
“Remember this Mr. President, hungry people are angry people. Let this be a warning to you. If you don’t act now and stop these hikes, the weight of the people’s anger will fall on your shoulders. Beware.”, Crisostomo said.
Reference:
Terry Ridon
LFS national chairperson
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