MANILA, Philippines - Urban poor group Kadamay on Wednesday called on the government to impose a P16,000 national monthly minimum wage for workers to fend off the effects of the impending increases in the rates of water utilities and rail transit systems' fare hike.
Kadamay national chairperson Gloria Arellano said urban poor families will be hard pressed to find the finances to pay for the rising costs of basic services in the country.
"Higit na napapanahon ngayon para sa gubyerno na itaas ang sahod ng mga manggagawa at magpatupad ng National Minimum Wage para mabawasan ang epekto ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga batayang serbisyo," Arellano said.
She said that it would not be surprising if the poverty and hunger indexes in the country will also spike in urban centers in the country, especially in Metro Manila.
As this developed, Kadamay and other people's organizations will stage a noise barrage this morning along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to protest the Light Rail Transit-Metro Rail Transit fare hike.
The groups will also protest the recent clearing of the vendors on the sidewalks and overpass bridges in various areas in Quezon City.