Series of protest actions planned over govt failure to curb weekly oil price hikes

MANILA, Philippines - Militant groups said they will stage a noise barrage at the Elliptical Circle in Quezon City on Friday evening - the first in the series of protest actions being prepared as a response to the government's failure to curb oil prices and protect consumers. Renato M. Reyes Jr, secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), said the government must undertake more aggressive measures to prevent the weekly round of increases in local pump prices. The group said it expects another round of oil price increases Friday midnight. In previous weeks, oil firms have given consumers as little as a two-hour notice prior to implementing price increases, drawing complaints from consumers "surprised" by higher pump prices. "The nation is facing a grave crisis. The relentless price hikes have become unbearable. Government must step in now to stop the weekly round of prices increases and to remove the oppressive value added tax on oil and power," Reyes said. Bayan said in a time when oil prices all over the world are artificially being raised due to massive speculation, the national government must all the more step in to protect consumers. "The speculative nature of the increases, wherein it is estimated that up to 60% of the prices are due to speculation, should compel the Arroyo government to stop these oil companies from raising their pump prices. These multinational oil companies must be stopped from preying on consumers," Reyes said. Bayan also scored the one-time subsidies formulated by the government saying the people are demanding more than just that. "Government should stop treating people as if they are all beggars. People demand immediate economic relief and a change in policies, not just dole-outs and band-aid solutions," Reyes added. The group also assailed what it called "the oppressive taxation under the VAT (value-added tax) on oil" saying the government has long enjoyed windfall revenues at the expense of poor consumers. "The protests will not stop until the VAT on oil and power is removed. This is a demand that the Arroyo government can no longer ignore. Because of the VAT, the government is no different from the oil companies who prey on consumers. Government’s tax take goes up when oil prices go up," Reyes said. Earlier, the Kontra-KulimVAT campaign has kicked off a signature drive aimed at raising awareness and gathering support for the removal of the VAT on oil and power. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV