KMU, Piston reiterate Cordi issues 05-11-20

	NORDIS WEEKLY November 20, 2005
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KMU, Piston reiterate Cordi issues
*2 mass actions in a row* BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 18) — The Kilusang Mayo Uno Cordillera (KMU-Cordillera) and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston-Baguio) spearheaded another noise barrage to reiterate their comprehensive calls against the expanded value added tax (EVAT), the oil deregulation law, demolition in the Cordilleras all in their intensified and unified cause for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The noise barrage started at 11:30 A.M. in front of the Philippine Rabbit Bus Terminal at Governor Pack Road on November 15. Other organizations joined KMU-Cordillera and Piston. The local progressive organizations include Ornus (the urban poor group), Alliance of Peasants in the Cordillera Hometown (APIT-TAKO) and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance Youth Commission (CPA-YC). From the cultural community, UP Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio (Tabak-Baguio) and Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK) joined them too. Piston Chairperson Carlito Wayas spoke against the oil deregulation law. He has exposed the difficulties the public utility vehicle drivers and operators of Baguio dealing with the swinging prices of oil. Though the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have amended the fares, their increase still does not compensate their daily needs, oil prices still hike. Regarding EVAT, John Panem of CPA-YS explained that the youth also have trouble of the new taxes. Moreover, he condemns the recent EVAT advertisement. As sponsored by the government, the ad ‘used’ children to ‘endorse EVAT’ as if to prove that the latest implementation on revenues is beneficial to the Filipinos. “Masama ang loob ko sa patalastas na yun. Kabataan ang ginamit nila. Para bang sila ang unang makikinabang. Ngunit sa katotohanan, sila ang unang nakakaranas ng hirap. Paano na ang kanilang edukasyon? Ang kanilang mga pangunahing pangangailang?” Panem strongly expressed. To speak for Ornus, Gerry Diano exposed the plight of the indigenous peoples in the urban poor sector. He said that because of the EVAT, living in their (indigenous peoples) own lands make it harder. Since they face issues of land-grabbing and inept demolition processes, their problems of how to exist in a better place have been worsened because of the increasing prices. APIT-TAKO’s Fernando Mangili also exposed the plight of the farmers, how they experience hardship dealing with the lower prices of their produce (palay), yet the goods they need are increasing. Also, as the last speaker, he summed up all the issues the other organizations rendered. Tabak-Baguio performed jingles about GMA’s ouster. The first jingle says, “Di mo lang alam taong baya’y galit na/ Nanggigigil at patatalsikin ka/ Noong araw pa’y pahirap na sa masa/ Manggagancho, bistong bisto/ Bawat project mo’y, bilyon ang nakukubra/ Epza, Piatco, Macapagal Boulevard/ Bagyong talaga pondo’y iyong sinalanta/ Mambobola, first class na magnanakaw/ Dagdag pa jueteng, red tape, Jose Pidal/ Resign ka na!!!/ Mambobola, bolados mo’y pigilan na/ Mambobola, pagkat ako’y sawang – sawa na.” The jingle was in the tune of Randy Santiago’s famous Mambobola. The 2nd jingle was of the same theme- the youth calling on Gloria to step down. It was in the tune of Bongga ka, Day. Lastly, DKK performed the Martsa ng Bayan to instigate that people of Baguio, together with the majority of the Filipinos must not lose hope in getting what they deserve- genuine freedom and an equitable way of living. To conclude the program, they held a noise barrage. Some passing PUVs honked to show their support and somehow say they understand the pleas of their co-drivers and community people as well. The noise barrage is a part of the militants’ build-up campaign for GMA’s ouster movement. Other national-coordinated programs and mobilizations are expected to be held in different places here on a daily and weekly basis. On November 18, the same militant organizations staged a march-rally as part of the nationally coordinated action against the EVAT and oil deregulation law. The said groups also called for the scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 and junking of the visiting forces agreement (VFA). # *Pink-Jean Fangon Melegrito for NORDIS*
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	NORDIS WEEKLY November 20, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
KMU, Piston reiterate Cordi issues
*2 mass actions in a row* BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 18) — The Kilusang Mayo Uno Cordillera (KMU-Cordillera) and Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (Piston-Baguio) spearheaded another noise barrage to reiterate their comprehensive calls against the expanded value added tax (EVAT), the oil deregulation law, demolition in the Cordilleras all in their intensified and unified cause for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The noise barrage started at 11:30 A.M. in front of the Philippine Rabbit Bus Terminal at Governor Pack Road on November 15. Other organizations joined KMU-Cordillera and Piston. The local progressive organizations include Ornus (the urban poor group), Alliance of Peasants in the Cordillera Hometown (APIT-TAKO) and the Cordillera Peoples Alliance Youth Commission (CPA-YC). From the cultural community, UP Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio (Tabak-Baguio) and Dap-ayan ti Kultura iti Kordilyera (DKK) joined them too. Piston Chairperson Carlito Wayas spoke against the oil deregulation law. He has exposed the difficulties the public utility vehicle drivers and operators of Baguio dealing with the swinging prices of oil. Though the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) have amended the fares, their increase still does not compensate their daily needs, oil prices still hike. Regarding EVAT, John Panem of CPA-YS explained that the youth also have trouble of the new taxes. Moreover, he condemns the recent EVAT advertisement. As sponsored by the government, the ad ‘used’ children to ‘endorse EVAT’ as if to prove that the latest implementation on revenues is beneficial to the Filipinos. “Masama ang loob ko sa patalastas na yun. Kabataan ang ginamit nila. Para bang sila ang unang makikinabang. Ngunit sa katotohanan, sila ang unang nakakaranas ng hirap. Paano na ang kanilang edukasyon? Ang kanilang mga pangunahing pangangailang?” Panem strongly expressed. To speak for Ornus, Gerry Diano exposed the plight of the indigenous peoples in the urban poor sector. He said that because of the EVAT, living in their (indigenous peoples) own lands make it harder. Since they face issues of land-grabbing and inept demolition processes, their problems of how to exist in a better place have been worsened because of the increasing prices. APIT-TAKO’s Fernando Mangili also exposed the plight of the farmers, how they experience hardship dealing with the lower prices of their produce (palay), yet the goods they need are increasing. Also, as the last speaker, he summed up all the issues the other organizations rendered. Tabak-Baguio performed jingles about GMA’s ouster. The first jingle says, “Di mo lang alam taong baya’y galit na/ Nanggigigil at patatalsikin ka/ Noong araw pa’y pahirap na sa masa/ Manggagancho, bistong bisto/ Bawat project mo’y, bilyon ang nakukubra/ Epza, Piatco, Macapagal Boulevard/ Bagyong talaga pondo’y iyong sinalanta/ Mambobola, first class na magnanakaw/ Dagdag pa jueteng, red tape, Jose Pidal/ Resign ka na!!!/ Mambobola, bolados mo’y pigilan na/ Mambobola, pagkat ako’y sawang – sawa na.” The jingle was in the tune of Randy Santiago’s famous Mambobola. The 2nd jingle was of the same theme- the youth calling on Gloria to step down. It was in the tune of Bongga ka, Day. Lastly, DKK performed the Martsa ng Bayan to instigate that people of Baguio, together with the majority of the Filipinos must not lose hope in getting what they deserve- genuine freedom and an equitable way of living. To conclude the program, they held a noise barrage. Some passing PUVs honked to show their support and somehow say they understand the pleas of their co-drivers and community people as well. The noise barrage is a part of the militants’ build-up campaign for GMA’s ouster movement. Other national-coordinated programs and mobilizations are expected to be held in different places here on a daily and weekly basis. On November 18, the same militant organizations staged a march-rally as part of the nationally coordinated action against the EVAT and oil deregulation law. The said groups also called for the scrapping of the Mining Act of 1995 and junking of the visiting forces agreement (VFA). # *Pink-Jean Fangon Melegrito for NORDIS*
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