Bayan set to hold 'palengke protest'

Militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is gearing up for another Black Friday protest action and call on the government to act to ease the burden of consumers over the nine-year high inflation rate recorded in August.

In a statement, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said a "palengke protest" will be staged at the Mega Q Mart market in Quezon City on Friday.

"Amid the record 6.4-percent inflation, (the government) should act to help consumers," the Bayan leader said.

"We call on the people to protest the government policies that have resulted to high prices," he added.

Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority on Wednesday showed 6.4 percent inflation in August is considered the fastest in nine years since inflation came in at 6.6 percent in March 2009.

Apart from an immediate solution to rising market prices, Bayan reiterated their call for the Duterte administration to put the brakes on the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) and remove the additional taxes on oil and other products and services.

The group also urged the government to boost domestic food production instead of food importation.

"The Philippines is capable of supplying our food requirements if there is adequate government support for domestic agri-production," Reyes said.

Bayan appealed for an end to the impending water rate hike and the planned LRT fare hike, saying these increases "will only add to consumer woes." 

"Filipinos face a bleak Christmas with increased inflation, low wages and job insecurity," Reyes warned. — BAP, GMA News