ADVERTISEMENT
This year, private water concessionaires are up for ‘rate rebasing,’ meaning they would substantially increase water rates to pass on the costs of their planned projects, some of which would not be implemented but will be charged to consumers anyway. This is aside from the usual rate increases.
Read also: Metro Manila experience: Poor water service, unjustified rate hike petition
“Aquino is so desperate in selling his illusion of economic growth that he even resorts to absurd excuses just to cover up the worsening hunger and poverty that he has brought upon us workers and the Filipino people.” – KMU
“We are now on the road to recovering the environment we have lost,” claimed the DENR. While progressive groups say, “With the forests being converted into plantations and logging permitted by the government, the area has been denuded up to a point wherein a mere rain shower could cause a catastrophic landslide.”
The two newly-signed labor laws mandating tripartism and compulsory arbitration effectively weaken unions and their power of collective action to bargain for better working conditions.
“No money, no service” is how the Anakpawis Partylist described the effects of “Aquino’s rotten policy when it comes to the people’s right to social services.”
Related story Patients, health workers join protests against privatization of gov’t hospitals
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Not only is there a dearth of jobs in the country, there is a dearth of decent jobs. More and more Filipinos are unhappy with jobs that offer meager wages and contractual status and deny workers their legitimate rights.” – Elmer Labog, KMU
After a fruitful dialogue between Dir. Leo Jasareno of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and representatives of environmental advocates in Ilocos Sur, the Bureau and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources gave their commitment to stop black sand mining in the province.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Progressive groups are protesting against high prices, high rates of utilities and mishandling of Sabah issue.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
'It is not enough for the Aquino government to say that the abuses are unacceptable, there must be proactive measures to protect Filipinos.' --Migrante
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Corruption, violence, human rights violations, chilling disasters one after another –these are what Filipinos have suffered as a result of implementing the Mining Act of 1995.” – Bayan Muna Party Rep. Neri Colmenares
Read also: Mining Act + Aquino’s mining EO = poison, plunder and disaster
By MARYA SALAMAT
“There are actual experiences and technologies available that demonstrate how Philex can decommission the tailings dam without resuming its mining operations.” – Kalikasan PNE
Read also: MGB go-signal to Philex: baseless, ill-advised, dangerous
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
‘The DSWD is accountable not only for its shameful act of ineptitude but also for its gross violation of the international code of conduct on disaster response which says that relief operations must not be discriminatory.’
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Another unfulfilled promise to the urban poor?
By MARYA SALAMAT
“Aquino’s rhetoric of change and growth cannot hide the reality of worsening conditions, joblessness, poverty and hunger for the majority of our people.” – Kilusang Mayo Uno
By MARYA SALAMAT
Opposition to the Tampakan mining project of SMI-Xstrata has claimed the lives of four people. And yet, the Aquino government continues to side with the mining giant as it attempts to override the ban issued by the local government.
Read also: Malacañang warned against approving mining application of giant SMI-Xstrata
This, after the Department of Social Welfare and Development-XI refused to release the 10,000 sacks of rice committed by Sec. Corazon ‘Dinky’ Soliman even after the leaders had presented and submitted their distribution plan on Thursday, February 7.
A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.
Save as PDF