24 Oras: Ilang grupong tutol sa planong pagtataas ng pasahe sa MRT,
nagprotesta sa DOTC
PROTEST AND PRESS RELEASE
“We’ll bring the battle back to the
streets.”
Thus said Riles Laan
sa Sambayanan (RILES Network) Convenor Sammy Malunes as the group protested the
resurrection of the plan to raise fares of the busiest metro railway line in
the country. The RILES Network has actively campaigned for the junking of any
increase in fares since 2010, citing the welfare of the riding public and the
responsibility of the government to provide affordable mass transportation.
“The government suspended its implementation of the fare
hike only temporarily and just waited for protests to subside. But the
students, workers and the public who are dependent on the MRT for affordable
transportation will not waiver from protesting as the government resurrects its
evil plans,” Malunes said.
Malunes added that
existing economic indicators show that Filipinos will not be able to afford any
further increase in daily expenditures for transportation. “Hunger incidence
and joblessness in the country remain highest in the Southeast Asian region.
Prices are skyrocketing while the wages of workers plummet to all time lows.”
The RILES Network also expressed alarm over the entry of
controversial business tycoon Manny Pangilinan (MVP) into the transportation
service sector.
RILES co-convenor Herman “Mentong” Laurel said, “The MRT fare hike revival is in line with the government’s plan to completely give up the control over the metro rail system to Metro Pacific Investement Corporation and Ayala Corp. The public should be wary of the irregularities in the board meetings of the MRTC where MVP’s group virtually dictated decisions on the all aspects of MRTC’s operations. Is MVP in control of the DOTC now?”
Meanwhile, the Founding Chairman of Anti-Trapo
Movement, Leon Estrella Peralta also warned of the connivance between Pres.
Aquino and MVP in the implementation of Public-Private Partnership projects,
claiming it is detrimental to the interest of the riding public.
“Providing basic social services should be the
business of the government and must be kept away from businessmen whose sole
interest is to rake in as much profits from the people’s pockets as they
possibly can. We pay our taxes and, in return, the government must do its duty
to provide for its people,” Peralta added.
The RILES Network called on all patriotic Filipinos to join the fight against fare increases and the privatization of the country’s railway system. It called on students, workers and professionals to launch activities, signature campaigns and protest actions in all forms to fight privatization and assert that it is the government’s responsibility to provide affordable public transport.
Published by: LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA
Founding Chairman, ANTI-TRAPO Movement of the Philippines
Political and Human Rights Advocate
Isang Ordinaryong Tao Para Sa KARAPATAN Ng Ordinaryong Pilipino
Please see related photos
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| In this Photo RILES Network convenors SAMMY MALUNES, LEON ESTRELLA PERALTA and HERMAN TIU LAUREL |
