women demand the repeal of EVAT, EPIRA and oil deregulation law

Gabriela women trooped to the House of Representatives to demand the House to repeal EVAT, EPIRA and Oil Deregulation Law, the laws they dubbed as anti-poor legislations.

“Kailangang aksyunan na ngayon ang kahirapan. Dapat ibasura na ng Kongreso ang mga walang kwenta, walang awa at walang pusong EVAT, EPIRA at Oil Deregulation Law. Sagad na sagad na kami at baon na baon na kami sa utang upang maitawid lamang ang araw-araw na pangangailangan ng aming pamilya. Walang habas ang pagsirit ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin, gasolina at kuryente sa kabila ng kawalan ng mga trabahong may nakabubuhay na kita,” said Kj Catequista-Haban, Gabriela Women’s Party spokesperson.

Gabriela solon Luzviminda Ilagan who joined the protesters said that women are the first to feel the crunch of increase in prices of basic commodities and services. And as the family budget shrinks, food becomes scarce, access to basic health services nil, and education, a luxury.

“It is under these circumstances that Gabriela Women’s Party sponsored House Bill 4704 to amend Section 4 of RA 9337, urging Congress to exempt oil and petroleum products, as well as prime commodities and basic necessities from the imposition of EVAT. This is an overdue relief measure for the poor families amid an incessant price increases in VAT-burdened commodities and services,” explained Ilagan.

“The skyrocketing electricity rates, along with the incessant increase in the prices of basic goods and prime commodities, continue to impress its toll on poor families that poor women are always “electrified” every time they receive their electricity bill. Their family’s burden from unabated oil price hikes is further worsened by increasing unemployment and depressed wages that do not increase at the same rate as the price of oil and basic commodities,” added GWP Rep. Emmi De Jesus who is also with the protesters.

Gabriela solons Ilagan and De Jesus are pushing for the repeal of EPIRA law and the removal of 12% VAT in electricity. EPIRA and Oil Deregulation Law practically gives power generation, transmission, distribution, and oil price control solely at the hands of private corporations.

“It requires a strong political will to work for the interest of the people, especially the marginalized and disadvantaged. If the President cannot repeal laws that burden the poor, the people should call on his accountability,” ended the two Gabriela solons.