Protest impending power hike, Pinoys urged

MANILA, Philippines - Militant group Bayan on Thursday urged the public to protest the impending  power rate hike and the continuing increase of oil prices.

In a statement, Bayan said the protests should be against the private oil and electric companies but also directed against the government for its inaction to stop the rising cost of fuel and power.

"We call on the people to protest the impending power rate hike and the continuing increase in the prices of fuel. The protests must be directed not just on the private firms but on the government that is supposed to protect the welfare of the consumers," the group said.

Bayan made the protest call after electric company, Meralco, announced that it would increase the power rate by P3 to P3.50 in its franchise areas.

Bayan also scored Malacañang for defending the impending power rate hike.

"The defense of the rate hike by Malacañang shows its utter callousness toward the plight of the people. Not only is  (President Benigno) Aquino a failure in addressing natural calamities, he is also a failure in preventing man-made calamities such as the deluge of price hikes in fuel and electricity," the group added.

Bayan said the national government should abandon its privatization and deregulation policies and take control of the power sector.

"So long as these policies prevail, rate hikes would be the norm, and it won't matter if the people are still reeling from," the group added.