"Now, more than ever, the workers need a meaningful wage increase."

This was the statement of KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog in light of recent news on record-high inflation this month.

"Even before the government revealed the statistics, which they have probably manipulated, the people have long been enduring the rising prices of almost all commodities."

According to the National Statistics Office, inflation rate reached 8.3% this April 2008, higher than 6.5% of March, and the highest in three years. Much of which were caused by increases in the price of rice and other basic food products.

"The poor are the primary victims of the rising cost of food, because they allot the biggest part of their income to food and other basic necessities," Labog said.

Labog also condemned Arroyo's solutions to the problem to be "merely for publicity only."

"What Arroyo offers are only meager dole-outs," Labog said referring to the P2 gasoline subsidy, family access cards, and cash assistance program. "Until when can they provide these? Until the time when prices have gone up much further?"

Labog challenged the government to respond seriously to the crisis of rising costs.

"Remove the VAT on electricity and petroleum products. Repeal the laws that promote privatization and liberalization of basic services, like the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), and the Oil Deregulation Law. Stop yielding to the dictates of the market and the capitalists, and implement a price control. And immediately pass a P125 across-the-board legislated wage increase. These are the actions we want to see."

"But Arroyo always rejects or evades solutions that can truly alleviate the depression of the people. She better step down first, so we can proceed with meaningful changes," Labog said.