By Juliane Judilla
Labor groups, farmers, and fishermen staged a protest on Jan. 31 in front of St. Clement’s Church in Iloilo City, calling on the government to address surging prices of basic commodities, poverty, and cuts to essential services.
Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Panay, the protesters decried the continuous rise in the cost of essential goods, including fuel and rice, while wages remain stagnant. They accused the government of neglecting the plight of drivers, small businesses, and other vulnerable sectors.
“Livelihoods of drivers and small operators are being destroyed while the poor continue to suffer,” said Elmer Forro of BAYAN-Panay.
Peasant groups also demanded government support as they struggle with hardships brought by El Niño and state-imposed closed fishing seasons and bans, which have exacerbated their poverty.
They condemned violence against rural communities, alleging instances of bombings, harassment, red-tagging, forced surrenders, and military operations.
The protesters criticized the militarization of cities, claiming that fake organizations are undermining grassroots movements. They also condemned the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to target development workers and human rights defenders, citing several NGOs and civil society organizations facing trumped-up charges of financing terrorism.
The groups expressed dismay over the government’s spending priorities, pointing to budget cuts in education, healthcare, and other social services. They criticized the growing allocations for debt payments, pork barrel funds, and election-related projects, which they claimed divert resources from essential programs.
Protesters carried empty lunch boxes to symbolize the struggles of parents unable to send their children to school due to low wages, despite promises of free education.
“These empty lunch boxes represent more than the lack of food. They reflect the financial burden of education, with hidden costs making schooling inaccessible, and unfulfilled government promises of free education,” said Arlie Bosque of Kabataan Party-list Panay.
The rally ended with calls for unity and sustained action to demand reforms. The groups vowed to continue their protests until the government responds to their calls for better resource distribution and urgent reforms to improve the welfare of Filipinos.
“We have the power to change our situation. We must fight for our rights and livelihoods. Hold the US-Marcos regime accountable and make Duterte answer for their crimes against the people,” they declared.
