Women militants led by Gabriela rushed to the gates of Malacañang to charge for “inaction by the Duterte government” in the 10th consecutive week of oil price hikes today, which coincided with International Women’s Day.
“Karinyo-brutal itong big-time oil price hike at ikasampung linggo ng sunod-sunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis sa mismong Araw ng Kababaihan. Walang pagkakaiba ito sa nambubugbog ng asawa na hindi nagsasawang mang-abuso hangga’t hindi namamatay ang babae,” said Joms Salvador, secretary-general of Gabriela.
“Maituturing nang krimen sa kababaihan at mamamayan ang kawalang-aksyon ng gobyerno kahit halos mamatay na sa gutom at hirap tayong mamamayang hindi na makahinga sa epekto sa mga bilihin ng sunod-sunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng langis.”
Salvador said the government should suspend the excise tax on oil included in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law signed by President Duterte in 2017.
Gabriela added that diesel would be reduced by P6/liter and gasoline by P10/liter if the excise tax is removed. He also said that P3/liter would reduce the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is used by many women in cooking.
Gabriela protests vs. oil price hike on International Women’s Day
“Presidente siya [Duterte], puwede niyang ipatawag ang Kongreso anumang oras para ihapag ang pagrepaso nang sa gayon ay maibasura ang Oil Deregulation Law. Huwag din niyang idahilan ang giyera sa Ukraine dahil buwan pa bago magkagiyera ay nabili na ng mga oil company ang stock nila ng langis na isu-supply nila sa mga bansa gaya ng Pilipinas,” the Gabriela leader added.
“Dapat nga, iutos pa ni Duterte sa Department of Energy na imbestigahan at paruhasan ang malalaking kumpanya ng langis sa posibleng manipulasyon nila sa presyo ng langis sa bansa.”
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte believes that much more can be done to improve women’s place in society.
“While a growing consciousness on equality is already an impressive feat and women are breaking the glass ceiling, I believe that we can do more,” Digong said in her International Women’s Day message, Tuesday.
“As we gain more access to education, information, and innovation, more women will have the chance to meaningfully participate in many aspects of human development and change the mindsets that continue to put women and other gender expressions at a disadvantage.”
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