Militants give Aquino govt. failing marks

CEBU, Philippines - Hundreds of members of the labor coalition NAGKAISA! gave the Aquino Administration a failing grade as President Benigno Aquino III delivered his fourth State of the Nation Address yesterday.

In a rally held in front of Metro Gaisano Colon, labor leaders under NAGKAISA! took turns lambasting the current system “where the few but powerful take control of the nation’s resources and economic opportunities”.

The group’s demands included work and regular jobs for all, wage increase, de-privatization of water and power industry, the poor’s right to the city and an end to violent demolitions among others.

“While seemingly laudable, the president's earlier statement that he will not certify as urgent nor support the Security of Tenure Bill, speaks of the types of jobs he intends to create -- contractual, non-regular, and not in line with decent work principles," said Tony Cuizon of Association of Genuine Labor Organization.

NAGKAISA! also raised the issue of inequality against the backdrop of high growth rates that Aquino flaunted. They said the country posted a 7.8 percent growth in gross domestic product during the first quarter of 2013, making it the fastest growing economy in Asia and yet growth remains concentrated in the high-income class, according to the National Statistical Coordinating Board, with the top 15 percent of the population getting more than 60 percent of the national income.

"How can growth become inclusive when two-thirds of the economy was made structurally exclusive for the country’s super-rich," said Partido ng Manggagawa-Cebu spokesperson Dennis Derige.

Art Barrit of ALU-TUCP said the rich have acquired control of the country’s essential services like water and power after they were privatized by the government.

Teody Navea of Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino said the rich are also the country’s biggest land developers and they have appropriated city lands for high-end clients while the poor are driven by force out of the cities.

Cebu City Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr. said that he deployed enough personnel at the Fuente Osmeña Circle, Colon St. near Metro Colon and at the Malacañang sa Sugbo where militant groups mostly convened.

“So far there is no need for additional manpower kay dili man gubot,” Natu-el said.  (FREEMAN)