BY BULATLAT
July 15, 2008 – 8:58 p.m.

It seemed like a funeral march as the faces of men and women were covered with black veils. The color of the march dramatized their collective sentiment; and a banner said it all, “Dahan-dahan kaming pinapatay ni Gloria sa kahirapan at kagutuman.” (Gloria [Macapagal Arroyo] is killing us slowly with poverty and hunger)

Despite the rain, the 200 protesters led by Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) pushed through with their protest calling anew for the legislation of a P125 across-the-board wage increase. They marched from Trabajo Market in
España to Plaza Miranda.

Speaking before the protesters, KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog said workers deserve to get a pay hike amid the soaring prices of oil, rice and other basic commodities.

Wilson Baldonaza, KMU secretary general slammed the P20 wage increase approved by the regional wage board for Metro Manila workers. “Di nakarating sa kamay ng mga manggagawa ang mumong ito. Ubos na sa
pamasahe pa lang.” (The workers never got to feel such meager amount. It all went to paying for our fare going to work.)

Baldonaza added, “Sabi ng Malakanyang, wala sa panahon ang paghingi natin ng dagdag na sahod. Sino ang kanilang inuulol?” (Malacañang said that our demand for a wage hike is untimely. Who are they fooling?)

He attributed Arroyo’s refusal to grant a wage hike to her efforts to stay in power. “Ayaw niyang saktan ang naghaharing uri na nagtataguyod sa kanya; tayo ang isinasakripisyo niya. Dapat na siyang patalsikin.” (She does not want to hurt the ruling elite who supports her; we are the sacrificial lambs.She must be ousted.)

Labog said that Arroyo’s neoliberal policy has aggravated poverty. He said as long as the Arroyo regime adheres with the US-dictated policy, the Filipino people will continue to suffer.

Labog announced that they will join the protests during the state of the nation address on July 28. (Bulatlat.com)

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