In a press conference called by Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide or PISTON, the Kilusang Mayo Uno Labor Center representative clearly stated that KMU supports the planned nationwide Transpo Strike on May 12 and the coordinated  nationwide protest actions by other sectors.   

“The KMU shall not just provide moral support. Aside from the active participation of its member organizations in the twelve selected rally centers in the NCR, coordinated protest actions  shall be held in factories and communities on May 12.  KMU member organizations located outside Metro Manila shall  be enjoined to establish rally centers in their areas,”  announced Elmer Labog, KMU Chairperson. 

Instead of getting bogged down on the issue of fare hike Labog opted to zero in on the government’s  inaction on oil price hike.  The KMU Chairperson feels that if the government does nothing on the skyrocketing oil price, any amount of  fare hike will just be an exercise of futility.   KMU believes that implementing fare hikes without solving the root problem of soaring oil price  will just worsen the plight of both drivers and commuters. And approving fare hikes without substantial wage hike amidst rice crisis is a twin-torment or double whammy for workers. ‘Instead of focusing on fare hike petitions, the government should come out with policies that would avoid fare hikes. The government, for example,  can immediately remove the twelve percent (12%) EVAT on oil and petroleum products. This would have an instant positive effect on the price of diesel and gasoline.  Moreover, it should repeal the Oil Deregulation Law,” stressed Labog.      

Labog also added that if VAT is removed from petroleum products, some of the benefits for the masses are the following:  1) P59.00 reduction or savings for all users of 11-kg LPG.  This will benefit  5.9 million households or  43.1 up to  51.7 million individuals in the country,  2) added income of P123.00 per working day that would benefit  426,572 jeepney drivers or  2.1  up to  2.6  individuals,  3) added income of  P19.00 per day for  581,578  tricycle drivers  or  2.9  up to  3.5  million individuals.    

Our demands in a nutshell are as follows :  1.     Scrap the Value Added Tax (vat) on oil and other petroleum products;2.     Junk the Oil Deregulation Law -  Nationalized the Oil Industry instead ; 3.   Immediately Stop the Oil Price increases,  and 4. Immediately implement a Wage Hike. Certify as Urgent and Pass H.B. 1722