Worse hunger cited in blocking fare hike petition, other price hikes
“At this point any increase in transport fares will be rendered
insignificant amid continuing oil price increases.” – Lana Linaban,
Gabriela
By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com
MANILA – Filipinos are known for being optimistic and happy, but many
still cannot escape the harsh reality of increasing prices and
dwindling income. More than half of Filipino families (10.4 million)
have rated themselves as poor in the third quarter of this year, up from
last quarter’s 9.8 million families, based on a Social Weather Stations
survey. “Moderate” and “severe” hunger also reportedly worsened, as an
estimated 4.3 million families experienced having nothing to eat in the
past three months.
These only confirmed what progressive groups have been saying each
time they press the government to put an end to hikes in prices of oil
products and utilities, and for a substantial wage hike. The monthly
budget of Filipino families has been eroded through the years without a
substantial wage hike amid nonstop price hikes.
In a study released last April, independent think-tank Ibon
Foundation revealed that the current minimum wage in the National
Capital Region, where wage is relatively highest in the country, is down
to two-fifths of the estimated average family living wage (FLW) of P988
($22.976) a day. Wages have thus shrunk further from being at least
half of the average family living wage in 2001 to just two-fifths of
living wages today.
Aquino administration and price hikes, worse hunger
Instead of correcting this problem of forced belt-tightening of
Filipinos, the Aquino government has “time and again wronged the people
by failing to provide a much needed respite from scandalous increases in
prices of oil and other commodities,” said Lana Linaban,
secretary-general of women’s group Gabriela.
President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has been accused of conniving
with the oil cartel and sharing in their “greed,” to the detriment of
Filipino consumers. Aquino has also been criticized for not acting on
pricing abuses of telecommunication companies, power companies, drug
companies and schools and universities. His 2012 budget was likewise
condemned by critics as skewed against the actual needs of the people
and more in favour of paying big financial institutions and arming the
military..... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/08/worse-hunger-cited-in-blocking-fare-hike-petition-other-price-hikes/
29. Alam n'yo kaya na ngayon ang ika-115 na pagdiriwang ng pinakaunang
labanan ng Himagsikan bago pa man ang pangkalahataang pag-aaklas? Ngayon
unang lum...
12 years ago
1 comment
bale from 50% down to 40% ang value ng average family living wage mula nang mag.edsa 2 kayo/silang mga estups?
"In a study released last April, independent think-tank Ibon Foundation revealed that the current minimum wage in the National Capital Region, where wage is relatively highest in the country, is down to two-fifths of the estimated average family living wage (FLW) of P988 ($22.976) a day. Wages have thus shrunk further from being at least half of the average family living wage in 2001 to just two-fifths of living wages today."
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