Pres. Aquino and oligarchs are the problem and solution to the man-made power shortage woes

Press Release
April 2, 2012

QUEZON CITY  –  A coalition of progressive unions and organization today tagged President Aquino and the country’s oligarchs are to blame for the man-made power supply woes in Mindanao.

“LAMPARA believes that the current power shortage in Mindanao is reflective of the greedy monopoly of certain families – the Pangilinans, the Tans, the Sys, the Lopezes, the Aboitizes, and the Cojuangcos – who are completely in control of the power generation, distribution, and supply of electricity in the entire country,” the group’s statement said issued after a briefing on the issue on the power shortage.

“We insist that the power shortage in Mindanao is man-made. These actions are clear proof that these oligarchs are socially irresponsible, politically unaccountable, and financially acquisitive.  They are scaremongering and manipulating the country’s power industry to again drive the hapless Filipino consumers and workers no choice but deeper into their pockets to pay for their increasing electric bill,” the statement further said.

The statement was signed by Associated Labor Unions-TUCP, Napocor Employees Consolidated Unions (NECU), TUCP Party-List, Napocor Employees and Workers Union, Kilusang BANAT, Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA), Napocor Drivers and Mechanics Association (DAMA), Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM), Para sa Bansa, Partido Manggagawa, National Confederation of Labor (NCL), Buklurang Manggagawag Pilipino (BMP), Sentro, and Earth Savers Movement.

They called on President Aquino to exercise his presidential prerogative quickly and discontinue political paybacks to these families and their corporate campaign contributors, proving he is truly for the Filipino people.

“Mr. President, pagkakataon na ito upang ipatupad ninyo ang inyong polisiyang tuwid na landas na may political will. Ginoong Pangulo, basagin mo na ang hamon ng nakararami na ikaw ay isang elitista at pangulo ng iilan lamang,” the statement said.

The statement also said: “We are alarmed that this issue will again polarize the highly sensitive and pervasive class disparity between and among Filipinos at a time when millions of ordinary waged workers have to pass through a convoluted wage board procedures for them to be able to cope with the skyrocketing increases in prices of basic commodities and costs of basic services due to a deregulated oil industry.”

“Ang kasalukuyang 11.79 per kilowatt hour na halaga ng kuryente dito sa Metro Manila pa lamang ay isang pasakit na para sa mga manggagawa dahil 11 per cent ng kanilang sahod ay napupunta sa konsumo sa kuryente. May nakaamba pang pagpapatupad ng 69 centavos per kilowatt hour na dagdag sa halaga ng kuryente sa Metro Manila, 60 centavos sa Visayas sa darating na buwan ng Mayo,” Alan Tanjusay, policy advocacy officer of ALU and co-convenor of LAMPARA.