Angara joins calls for stoppage to hikes in power, fares, fees By Angie M. Rosales 09/17/2011

Angara joins calls for stoppage to hikes in power, fares, fees

By Angie M. Rosales 09/17/2011

Sen. Edgardo Angara yesterday joined colleagues who had already warned Malacañang of courting unrest, if the Executive will not reassess its plan unleashing a barrage of price adjustments in power, fees and fares to the overburdened consumers and commuters.

The lawmaker agreed with the contention of Sen. Ralph Recto who earlier had sounded off what he described as middle class revolt as they are the ones that would suffer the most in the simultaneous price increases.

“How big is our so-called middle class in the Philippines? It’s a vanishing breed, an endangered species. The economics definition of middle class is middle income. If those in the bottom, for example, make P30,000 a year, and those at the top make P100,000 on average, then the middle class should be making P50,000 to P60,000 a year and they receive their income regularly.

“This is why teachers and other professionals are generally classified as middle class and they can usually generate extra purchasing power. But can we really apply this definition to the Philippines? We’re removing the subsidy from the MRT-LRT (Metro Rail and Light Rail Transit) and imposing VAT (value-added tax) on toll — well, actually more on the LRT/MRT system since this is the vehicle of choice of the salaried...... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/nation/20110917nat4.html