Submitted by KMU on Mon, 2008/06/09 - 8:15pm.
It’s time for ‘shut-down’ of power privatization schemes, ‘power-cut’ of Arroyo regime – KMU
Workers and urban poor led by the Kilusang Mayo Uno staged a lights-out protest today at the communities along Espana, Manila to register their call to repeal the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and to scrap the VAT on power.
KMU is part of the broad alliances POWER (People Opposed to Warrantless Electricity Rates) and Kontra kulim-VAT, which commemorated the 7th year of EPIRA by holding one hour lights-out protests at different communities in Metro Manila.
“EPIRA and other privatization schemes of the Arroyo government caused power rates to be highly unbearable for the people,” said Lito Fadriquelan, KMU National Council member and President of the Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa federation.
“The recent appeals of the foreign chamber of commerce and other big business groups for Arroyo not to revise the EPIRA only prove that the law has always been on their side.
“Meralco is liable for manipulating electricity prices, charging exorbitant costs, and controlling not only the distribution but also the production of electricity. But Meralco has been able to do so because of Arroyo’s deregulation and privatization policies,” Fradriquelan added.
Cost-cutting
He also slammed the government’s recent pronouncements urging the public to save on power.
“Arroyo does not need to encourage or advice us on how to save on electricity. We’ve become experts in cost-cutting. We’ve already tried all creative and insane measures to cope with ever-skyrocketing prices despite our meager wages.
“But don’t push us to our limits,” Fadriquelan warned Arroyo.
Pretentious
The labor leader moreover slammed Arroyo’s P2 billion power subsidy program.
“Arroyo thinks she can temporarily ease the raging public just in time before the 2010 elections. But in these critical situations, we will not buy trivial responses, much more publicity stunts.
Fadriquelan reiterated their demands that would substantially address the high electricity rates: “the scrapping of VAT on power, the removal of the systems loss and other exorbitant charges, and the repeal of the EPIRA. But ultimately, the oil industry should be nationalized to serve the interests of the people rather than cater to the profits of the big businesses.”
“It’s time for a power-cut to this power-hungry regime,” Fadriquelan added.###
