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Cordillera regional women’s economic summit

With the worsening economic crisis in the country, Innabuyog-Gabriela together with other women’s organizations in Baguio City convened a Regional Women’s Economic Summit in commemoration of the International Working Women’s Day last March 8, 2005 at the Multi-Purpose Center of the Baguio City Hall.

With the theme: Kabuhayan Hindi Kahirapan, Karapatan Hindi Karahasan!”, the activity focused on the situation of women from the different sectors of the society and the need to understand the continuing economic crisis not only in the national level but as well as in the international realm. Gert Ranjo-Libang, outgoing Executive Director of the Manila-based Center for Women’s Resources (CWR) and spokesperson for Gabriela-national, discussed extensively the various tax measures proposed by the government specifically the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).

The VAT being proposed is a desperate attempt by the Arroyo government to resolve the economic crisis in our country.

According to Ranjo-Libang, 48% of VAT in 2004 was collected but without official receipts which explains the 33% government loss in tax collection annually. She also added that there was a P34 billion loss in taxes last year due to tax evasion by large companies and corporations.

“If there was efficient and effective system of tax collection in our country then it could have covered up for the shortage we had in the national budget last year amounting to P6.54 billion”, stressed Ranjo-Libang. She discussed further the implications of additional VAT and the non-stop increase in prices of oil, basic services and prime commodities to all sectors of the society. Ranjo-Libang also shared to the group Republic Act 9262 or the Anti- Violence against Women and Children. With the increasing cases of violence against women and children, it is about time to have such a law for the protection of the rights of women and children. As of the latest research by CWR, there is 1 woman raped every 8 hours, 1 woman beaten up for every 2 hours, 1 child sexually abused every 2 hours and 40 minutes, 1 child beaten up every 3 hours, 1 child abandoned every 8 hours, and 2 women exposed to acts of lasciviousness every 24 hours.

Different workshop discussions were also held during the one-day activity. The participants numbering almost 300 representing 76 organizations were divided into workshop groups according to sectors- peasants, workers, semi-workers, teachers, youth and students, government employees and overseas Filipino workers. Each group discussed their specific economic conditions and came up with resolutions. These resolutions were presented during the plenary after which the sectoral and organizational representatives signed the declaration of unity.

City Mayor Braulio Yaranon and Councilor Pinky Rondez were at the summit. The local officials congratulated the group for advancing the women’s causes in our region. The activity culminated with a women’s march and rally in the main thoroughfares of the city where about 700 men and women joined the group in solidarity with the women’s movement in the region. #

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