Gabriela launches petition, vows more mass actions against price increases
“I know that the government is spending so much on the impeachment
case. But the government should not forget that there are also other
people, mostly poor, who are in need.” – Zenaida Espiritu, vendor
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — While Zenaida Espiritu, 49, was tending to the plastic bags
she sells for a living along the busy stretch of Carriedo, she stops for
a while to check on what was happening near the LRT station. A member
of the women’s group Gabriela approaches her and, soon, she found
herself signing a petition paper.
“I can hardly provide a decent meal to my children because of the
continuing price hikes,” Espritu said, when asked why she decided to
sign the petition paper.She has five children. Two are already married
and one has stopped going to school. The two youngest are still
studying, one in second year high school and the other in Grade 4.
Espiritu has been a vendor in Carriedo since she was 16 years old.
She said her life became harder each passing year. Her capital for the
products she is selling has increased through the years. “When I started
selling these bags, I bought them for only $0.37. But now it increased
to $0.46,” she said, “Then, people would ask for discounts.”
She goes home with only $2.79 after a day of hard work from 9:00 a.m.
to 8:00 p.m. Her husband does not have a steady income as a
construction worker. Their meager income, amid the increasing prices of
staple goods and services, is not enough for her children. “That is why I
signed the petition paper. I hope that my signature could reach our
government and heed our call.”
Gabriela, the country’s largest women’s group, has launched
Altrapresyo(n): Alerto sa Pagtaas ng Presyo Network, a consumers
campaign network that aims to secure one million signature to repeal the
oil deregulation law and the E-VAT on oil products and basic goods and
services. The group aims to submit the petition before the House of
Representatives to oblige the lawmakers to listen to their demands.
Signing the petition
Along with the petition signing, Gabriela also conducted a free blood pressure reading. It goes well with their campaign Altapresyon, which literally means high blood pressure.
Espritu said she often has high blood pressure whenever the increasing prices of staple food never seems to stop. “My children’s school supply, gas, sugar and rice,” she added, “Before I only spend $0.58 for a kilo of rice. But now I spend $0.88.”.... MORE
Source: Bulatlat.com
URL: http://bulatlat.com/main/2012/02/10/gabriela-launches-petition-vows-more-mass-actions-against-price-increases/
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