Motorists get their gas tanks filled up at Caltex in Manila as pump petrolium product prices hike up on Monday morning. /Inquirer photo
MILITANT labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) staged protests in government and private offices in Makati City on Tuesday, to call attention to various issues such as the rising prices of basic commodities, low wages, and contractualization.
Dubbed “Triple Whammy” protest, the group trooped first to the main office of the Department of Trade and Industry and the office of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines both on Gil Puyat Avenue, and the headquarters of major oil player Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. on Valero Street.
“Makatuwiran at makatarungan ang pagrehistro ng pagkilos na ito ng mga manggagawa, sapagkat ramdam namin ang hirap na dinaranas ng mga mamamayan (dahil sa pagtaas ng mga bilihin),” said KMU-National Capital Region chair Ed Cubelo.
Tuesday’s increase in oil prices was the third just for this month. Since January, diesel prices increased for P9.30, gasoline at P8.70, and kerosene at P9.60.
The protesters criticized President Duterte and the DTI for allowing additional taxes, including excise taxes from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law.