tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48109401575922251632024-03-19T12:26:20.082+08:00Manila BuzzThe other sideUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-45982204677720467002020-07-31T18:00:00.001+08:002020-07-31T18:00:46.188+08:00🔴 Ambient Relaxing Music, 🎵 Stress Relief Music, Study Music , Meditation Music, Calming Music<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WJ-_RcYSN8s" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ-_RcYSN8sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-11551954358706694922020-07-30T19:35:00.000+08:002020-07-30T19:35:13.745+08:00Watch NASA's Perseverance Rover Launch to Mars!<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JIB3JbIIbPU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIB3JbIIbPU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIB3JbIIbPU</a><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-20347105767497780212020-07-28T17:37:00.000+08:002020-07-28T17:37:36.046+08:00How to get a DOLE Certification for up to P20, 000 SSS Unemployment Benefit?All employees, including Maid and OFWs, covered by the mangroves insurance grant or involuntary separation benefit are required to obtain Certification of Involuntary Separation from Department of Labor and Employment-DOLE, based on Circular No. 2009-011 of Philippine Social Security System.<br />
<br />
Here are the requirements and processes of getting DOLE certification for your knowledge<br />
For more information read Department Circular No. 1, series of 2019, on DOLE website: <a href="https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-circular-no-1-19-guidelines-on-the-issuance-of-dole-certification-as-a-requirement-for-application-for-payment-of-unemployment-insurance-or-involuntary-separation-benefit/">https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-circular-no-1-19-guidelines-on-the-issuance-of-dole-certification-as-a-requirement-for-application-for-payment-of-unemployment-insurance-or-involuntary-separation-benefit/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="863" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBLEinfo%2Fposts%2F2566721010311033&show_text=true&width=552&appId=250081278344568&height=863" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="552"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-87237592671231702642020-07-28T17:04:00.001+08:002020-07-28T17:04:42.618+08:00Filipinos need solutions to health and economic crisis, not death by any means<a href="https://manilabuzz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://manilabuzz.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTFPXLI_IYPR5p007S2wnozsqHGQe0_hbZa69URCdmmID6Y2Cadp3SZjr9G1FajnMhEC-C4htMX7UtYJGDABv2nPhxzmtYgZf7Czrot3baPfeLyNKtlyfVRvHEj26eELuLgRDD3YcW35O/s640/20200728_nagkaisa.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The lack of formidable healthcare and decisive economic recovery plan will surely lead us to death, if not thru Covid-19, then by hunger. And if you rise to complain, maybe thru the anti-terrorism law or under the revived death penalty law as proposed by the President in yesterday’s State of the Nation Address.<br />
<br />
Death penalty is the least that people should hear at the time they were facing real death and hunger in this time of the pandemic. <br />
<br />
What we need are solid guarantees to our constitutional rights. What the country urgently needs are laws and measures that would address joblessness, loss of incomes and economic recession. <br />
<br />
A death penalty imposed in the manner law enforcers disrespect human rights even during a mass inside the Quiapo Church is something to worry about as justice, we believe, is better served with fairness and compassion rather than by coercion. <br />
<br />
If the President and his minions are still clueless on how we can get out of the current pandemic and ensuing economic crisis that we have right now, then they should not threaten the people further with more acts of killing. This nation needs more signs of life, not more death on the horizon. <br />
<br />
The economy likewise needs a new breath of life not from the failed free market but from the state itself. The Bayanihan 2, with its measly fund of less than P200 billion, is clearly inadequate to weather the worst economic recession that we and the whole world are facing. <br />
<br />
This glaring lack of a bold yet feasible plan, we are afraid, will surely lead us to more deaths. And that is criminal neglect on the part of the government itself. Now, who wants death imposed upon himself?<br />
<br />
Finally, pursuing a better normal under a whole nation approach will never be possible with the government imposing restrictions to union’s democratic participation in governance, which to us, is the worst form of social distancing. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-53280784928867693012020-07-28T16:26:00.003+08:002020-07-28T16:26:55.705+08:00DI NIYO BA NARIRINIG?<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pcl7AcnV8RU" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcl7AcnV8RU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pcl7AcnV8RU</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-87249201125852961252020-07-27T23:14:00.002+08:002020-07-27T23:14:42.003+08:00Panawagan: A Call to Prayer and Action<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_yukZm9eXT0" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-29371506682295009392020-07-27T16:20:00.000+08:002020-07-28T16:20:18.925+08:00🔴 Soothing Music, Relaxing Music, 🎵 Calming Music, Deep Sleep Music, Ambient Music, Study Music<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tSrLIPMsr6c" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSrLIPMsr6c">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSrLIPMsr6c</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-66871779326526722322020-07-23T00:00:00.000+08:002020-07-28T00:01:40.452+08:00🔴 Relaxing Rain Sound, Peaceful Deep Sleep Music For Insomnia<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1njAR0nFo6U" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-82626523783201589642020-07-18T20:04:00.000+08:002020-07-18T20:04:28.269+08:00100 Images of Insects Taken Under Electron Microscope<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PJC_6dUxiMM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-91574208940886596632020-07-18T10:04:00.001+08:002020-07-18T10:04:17.032+08:00Doctor badly needed O+ Plasma from COVID-19 survivors to help her survive, please call 0917 805 3207If anyone of you know a covid survivor willing to help someone on the edge of a covid death, here is a message fro this very sick doktora now intubated, prone in PGH:<br />
<br />
Forwarded message. <br />
<br />
Our sister, Karen, has the Gift of Healing. Napakahilig po ng Ate ko (Kathlynne Anne Abat-Senen) sa mga bata which is why she chose to be a Neonatal Pediatrician. Every Saturday, sa dinner table at our eldest sister's house, ang dami niyang stories about her experiences, pero ang laging theme ng stories ay kung paano niya ipinaglalabang MABUHAY ang bawat pasyente niya. Para sa kanya, siya ay isa lamang Instrument ng Panginoon, at ang bawat sanggol na ipinagkatiwala sa kanya ay mga pagpapa-alala ng pagmamahal sa atin ng Diyos, pagkat bawat bata ay Blessing. Kahit gaano ka-kritikal ang lagay ng isang bata o sanggol, pag si Dra. Senen ang may hawak niyan, siguradong nasa mabuting kamay ang buhay ng bata na iyan. Bilang professor sa UP College of Medicine, hindi din siya naging madamot na mentor sa mga nagnanais tumugon sa vocation ng medisina. Kahit sa gitna ng hapunan, tanghalian, basta nag-ring ang phone niya, lagi niya itong sasagutin. She is that dedicated to her profession, her vocation.<br />
<br />
Kaya kahit pa man pumutok ang pandemya na ito, tuloy pa din sa pagtingin sa pasyente ang aking Ate. Sabi niya, "Kung hindi tayo, sino?" Tandang-tanda ko ang linya na niya yan. "Matapang, Matalino, Walang Takot Kahit Kanino". Yan ang Ate ko. Sabi nga ni Lean, "In the line of fire is the place of honor."<br />
<br />
Ngayon, siya po ay nasa ICU dahil sa COVID 19, nakikipaglaban para mabuhay, nakikipaglaban para sa kanyang asawa at dalawang anak. She is in desperate need of O+ Plasma from COVID-19 survivors to help her live. If you know any willing donors, please have them contact Dra. Sandy Maganito of UP PGH at 0917 805 3207 and indicate that its for Dra. Karen Abat-Senen. You can also help by spreading this call for donors by sharing this post. Marami pong Salamat sa lahat ng Dasal.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-87256359875531906142020-07-18T10:00:00.002+08:002020-07-18T10:00:52.491+08:00Comet Neowise Video Compilation<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ajlcvzvCKdI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/ajlcvzvCKdI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/ajlcvzvCKdI </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-89111506628618028322020-07-17T14:40:00.003+08:002020-07-17T14:40:55.088+08:00🔴Soothing Music, Relaxing Music,🎵Ambient Music, Study Music,Calming Music, Deep Sleep Music, 2 Hours<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hGfdXJTK_qI" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/hGfdXJTK_qI" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/hGfdXJTK_qI </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-6023388680313320042020-07-17T09:37:00.001+08:002020-07-17T09:47:33.757+08:00Best Female Singer | Guitarist on Instagram<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O3GelJVQsrs" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="video-url-fadeable style-scope ytcp-video-info"><a class="style-scope ytcp-video-info" href="https://youtu.be/O3GelJVQsrs" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/O3GelJVQsrs </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-44101596892928180492020-07-16T15:39:00.000+08:002020-07-16T15:39:17.520+08:00Funny Animals Compilation , You Better See This One for a change, Tik Tok<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tobmF2MT7VQ" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-91053598395029617682020-07-15T15:10:00.000+08:002020-07-15T17:44:14.443+08:00Liza Soberano's "Awkward" First Vlog<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ndxeglpRZM" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Life with Liza Vlog at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5HawxrMoEHasfeajDl77Ug">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5HawxrMoEHasfeajDl77Ug</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-8340139568987720202020-07-15T14:19:00.000+08:002020-07-15T14:19:00.543+08:00Funny Dogs Tik Tok Compilation<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nWMTB6PaWGo" width="560"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-89093399898251375882020-07-15T12:42:00.000+08:002020-07-15T12:42:04.852+08:00Golden Voice Duo Will Leave You Speechless , Tik Tok Singers Compilation<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0HHvDFNi2UY" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/0HHvDFNi2UY">https://youtu.be/0HHvDFNi2UY</a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-55861240092903501252020-07-15T10:04:00.000+08:002020-07-15T10:04:07.717+08:00Tik Tok Trending Popular Videos<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/szfR4ft4_m0" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
I do not own any content used in the video. All credits goes to the perspective owners of the videos.<br />
Please like, comment and subscribe ❤️ <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC84dZgibuHEnWVUqR_J7_zg?sub_confirmation=1">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC84dZgibuHEnWVUqR_J7_zg?sub_confirmation=1</a><br />
<div class="SnapLinksContainer" style="display: none; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div class="SL_SelectionRect">
<div class="SL_SelectionLabel">
</div>
</div>
<svg class="SnapLinksHighlighter" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">
<rect height="0" width="0"></rect> <!-- Used for easily cloning the properly namespaced rect -->
</svg></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-31974335179685498672020-07-13T14:01:00.002+08:002020-07-13T14:29:07.832+08:00Genius painter Leonid Afremov oil paintings on sale<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ny0g02BTlD8" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
The family of late great painter Leonid Afremov (afremov.com) are selling his wonderful artworks. Prices starts at $149. Please visit the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/leonidafremo... and website https://www.afremov.com , youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOCN4jweD1AETi9KhlK3-5QUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-58151824528952868242020-07-12T21:35:00.001+08:002020-07-13T08:52:22.733+08:00THE ABS/CBN FRANCHISE DECISION: ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS DICTATORSHIP!<a href="https://manilabuzz.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="https://manilabuzz.blogspot.com" border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1248" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS3bUklWNbpTOvyCjFZ6ifyyjoi-hoLZ-Ui0oe-y3Qj7uypLcpMYA0b9zFya-A9BU489LQxfoPvIOrVx21BgGrTikaKT-FkS0N_stJry5PKHmHjXNK9xwxGZNGttUCSJ3Lov-nUdl_DiI/s640/202007010_nabu.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The 70-11 vote of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Franchises to refuse the renewal of the license of ABS/CBN was a foregone conclusion. The so-called hearings served merely as a show trial to provide a semblance of legitimacy to President Rodrigo Duterte’s prior decision to shut down the network while allowing him the sadistic pleasure of watching his gallery of congressional rogues trying to outperform one another in doing his bidding.<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="1045" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsentrolabor%2Fvideos%2F305531267301449%2F&show_text=true&width=552&appId=250081278344568&height=1045" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="552"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Duterte’s congressional subordinates tried to make it appear that the ABS-CBN case was a matter of the network’s violating terms of its license. Laban ng Masa does not believe that either private monopoly or state monopoly of the media serves the public interest. However, it was clear from the very beginning that Duterte’s only motivation in refusing the license renewal was its being critical of his policies and refusal to bend to his wishes.<br />
<br />
Laban ng Masa had earlier proposed the alternative of workers’ control of the network under a renewed license, which would have been the best way to promote the people’s interest. We categorically submit that workers’ control and self-management remains a viable and truly democratic option that is an existing reality in many parts of the world today. It has been implemented in Spain, England, the U.S., Argentina, Indonesia, India, and the Philippines, to name a few. The refusal of the president’s attack dogs to even consider this showed that their advocacy of the public interest was simply a smokescreen for the Duterte gang’s objective of gaining total control of the media..<br />
<br />
Along with the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos, Jr., of cyberlibel, the non-renewal of the ABS/CBN license makes it crystal clear that Duterte intends to do away with freedom of the press. Malacanang’s message to all media practitioners and owners is unambiguous: any criticism will be met with the full force and fury of the Duterte state.<br />
<br />
Freedom of expression is one principle of democracy that is being assaulted here. But it is not the only one.<br />
<br />
With the Ressa-Santos judicial conviction and the House’s ABS/CBN franchise decision, we are seeing the last nails being driven into the coffin of the separation of powers. It is highly unlikely that a Supreme Court filled with Duterte supporters will have the courage to reverse decisions ordered by their boss.<br />
<br />
These two assaults on fundamental democratic principles must also be seen in the context of Duterte’s recent signing into law of the Anti-Terrorism Bill, which sets up a body that can arbitrarily designate anyone as a “terrorist” and empowers state agents to arrest that person without any warrant of arrest and keep her or him in isolation for 24 days before delivering that person to the judicial authorities. The Anti-Terrorism Act simply legalizes the murder of the principle of due process, which has already been violated repeatedly and brazenly in the extra-judicial execution of thousands of people suspected of using drugs.<br />
<br />
The Duterte regime began its reign four years ago with a massive, bloody assault of executions in the streets that shocked and awed the country. Now it is in “mopping up phase,” that is, of legally murdering the liberal democratic principles enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. The country is now firmly in transition from a de facto dictatorship with democratic trappings to a full-fledged dictatorship.<br />
<br />
Despite these brazen moves to kill democracy, Laban ng Masa is confident that even though significant numbers of our compatriots are still blinded by Duterte’s false image as someone promoting the national interest, the Filipino people will eventually see the dangerous journey to a total dictatorship on which he is leading them and realize that resistance is the only option.<br />
<br />
Laban ng Masa pledges its allegiance to that Resistance to dictatorial rule that is growing and calls on all to stop Duterte’s abominable design to return the country to the yoke of one-man rule.<br />
<br />
RESIST DICTATORSHIP! RESIST DUTERTE!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LabanNgMasaPH">Laban ng Masa</a><br />
July 11, 2020<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-789436603119512272014-04-30T10:21:00.001+08:002014-04-30T10:21:01.892+08:00Labor Coalition Nagkaisa Chides PNoy: Hindi Tuwid, Hindi Tama, Hindi Makatuwiran Kapag Pag-unlad ay Para sa Iilan Lamang!Labor coalition Nagkaisa chided President Benigno Simeon Aquino III
<br>for continuing to dishonor workers on Labor day by failing to respond
<br>to important issues raised by labor representatives during the
<br>non-ceremonial pre-labor day dialogue in Malacanang the other day.
<br>
<br>"President Aquino continues to ignore for four years the issues which
<br>we believe would help impact the plight of the working people. Workers
<br>are feeling deprived of the benefits due them despite of their great
<br>contribution to improving economy," the Nagkaisa said in a statement.
<br>
<br>"Since assuming presidency in 2010, Mr. Aquino is always being
<br>remembered by workers in every Labor day memorial as a leader who has
<br>abandoned and failed them at the critical moment when they needed his
<br>leadership in view of growing joblessness, rising cost of living,
<br>rampant and unfettered precarious work arrangement, high cost of
<br>electricity rate and by conceding social protection services to greedy
<br>capitalists," they added.
<br>
<br>"Hindi tuwid, hindi tama, hindi makatuwiran kung pag-unlad ay para sa
<br>iilan lamang (it is not straight, it is not right, it is unjust if
<br>growth is shared only by a few)," the group stressed as they plan to
<br>muster 30,000 of their members march from Welcome Rotonda to Mendiola
<br>in today's Labor day commemoration. The group will assemble along
<br>Espana at around 8a.m.
<br>
<br>Aside from chastising Aquino, labor groups belonging to Nagkaisa also
<br>lambasted Energy (DOE) Secretary Jericho Petilla and (BIR) Bureau of
<br>Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares for failing to offer
<br>government solutions to pressing long-standing workers' issues raised
<br>by Nagkaisa (United) during the yearly Labor day dialogue with
<br>President Benigno Simeon Aquino III held the other day.
<br>
<br>The group also tagged the duo as "the weak link that help makes Aquino
<br>appear out-of-touch, out-of-tune and widely disconnected with workers'
<br>issues raised by Nagkaisa in the past four years."
<br>
<br>"Out of the several cabinet secretaries who responded to the issues
<br>that Nagkaisa raised, it was Ms. Henares and Mr. Petilla who appears
<br>to be badly serving the president by refusing to offer solutions to
<br>the high cost of electricity and tax issues as a way and means of
<br>non-wage economic relief to workers in view of not benefitting from
<br>despite of significant contribution to make the economy performed
<br>excellently in the past years," the Nagkaisa said in a statement.
<br>
<br>During the span of the two-year Nagkaisa dialogue with the executive
<br>government, the alliance have demanded for Henares to provide tax
<br>breaks to workers by way of taxing only the incremental amount of the
<br>negotiated minimum wage of regular workers and expand the tax exempt
<br>de minimis fringe benefits enjoyed by employees from their employers
<br>as performance incentive.
<br>
<br>"It is clear to us that Ms. Henares wants to meet her revenue quota by
<br>making workers bleed in the sand, clearly ignoring the fact that these
<br>workers are the backbone of the economy and were responsible for high
<br>economic growth that she, the employers, and this administration are
<br>flaunting about," the group said.
<br>
<br>On the issue of the high cost of electricity, Nagkaisa have demanded
<br>that to make the country attractive to investors that creates jobs a
<br>Presidential Commission on Power must be created immediately.
<br>
<br>"We proffered that the Commission to be made up of a national
<br>multi-sectoral and multi-agency actors who will craft a 24-month
<br>national strategy response that will craft a 24-month roadmap aimed at
<br>lowering the cost and ensuring sufficiency of energy supply. That way,
<br>a reduced electricity cost will make workers spend more on their food
<br>and basic necessities at the same time invite foreign and local
<br>investors put up more shops, offices and factories creating jobs for
<br>the millions unemployed," the alliance said.
<br>
<br>"However, it was clear to all that Mr. Petilla downgraded the proposal
<br>to just create a task force under the auspices of the Department of
<br>Energy (DOE) rather than a presidential commission is a signal that he
<br>wants the Filipino people to be continued hostage by the monopsony of
<br>a few powerful elites that controls the entire energy sector. Nagkaisa
<br>condemns his arrogance and we will continue to hold him into account.
<br>Nagkaisa will insist on the establishment of a commission."
<br>
<br>On the issue of contractualization otherwise known as "555" or "endo",
<br>a precarious scheme of employment arrangement, as the most important
<br>issue that Nagkaisa raised in the dialogue, the group welcomed
<br>Aquino's announcing his middle-ground response to this issue on May
<br>28th.
<br>
<br>Aside from eliminating contractualization scheme, lowering electricity
<br>rates and providing tax breaks to workers, Nagkaisa welcomes the
<br>response of Trade and industry Secretary Gregory Domingo, Justice
<br>Secretary Leila De Lima, Yolanda Rehab and Reconstruction czar
<br>Secretary Panfilo Lacson for acceding to Nagkaisa demand for labor
<br>sector to be included in the crafting of a jobs-led agro-industrial
<br>plan, monitoring and evaluation of the prosecution of extra-judicial
<br>killings of union organizers and journalists, and inclusion of
<br>Nagkaisa representatives in the formulation and implementation of
<br>Yolanda-hit reconstruction and rehabilitation strategies.
<br>
<br>Nagkaisa also welcomes the assurance of Aquino to immediately ratify
<br>the ILO convention 151— a convention concerning protection of the
<br>right to organize and procedures for determining conditions for
<br>employment in government service.
<br>
<br>The group also awaits Aquino's unequivocal policy statements in the
<br>next dialogue on the issue of revision in the EPIRA law, providing
<br>affordable in-city housing program, non-violent transfer of urban poor
<br>communities in danger zones, appointment of a workers' sector
<br>representative in the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), and approve
<br>into law the Freedom of Information bill.
<br>
<br>
<br>ABOUT NAGKAISA
<br>
<br>Launched on April 2012, the Nagkaisa is the biggest alliance of labor
<br>groups and workers organizations in modern history of trade union
<br>movement in the country. It is composed by the Alliance of Free
<br>Workers (AFW) , All Filipino Workers Confederation (AFWC), Automobile
<br>Industry Workers Alliance (AIWA), Alab Katipunan, Association of
<br>Genuine Labor Organizations (AGLO), Associated Labor Unions (ALU),
<br>Associated Labor Unions- Association of Professional Supervisory
<br>Officers Technical Employees Union (ALU-APSOTEU), ALU-Metal,
<br>Associated Labor Unions-Philippine Seafarers'Union (ALU-PSU),
<br>ALU-Textile, ALU-Transport, Associated Labor Unions-Visayas Mindanao
<br>Confederation of Trade Unions (ALU-VIMCOMTU), Alliance of Progressive
<br>Labor (APL), Association of Trade Unions (ATU), Bukluran ng
<br>Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), Confederation of Independent Unions
<br>(CIU), Confederation of Labor and Allied Social Services (CLASS),
<br>Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS), Federation of Coca-Cola Unions
<br>(FCCU), Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Kapisanan ng Maralitang
<br>Obrero (KAMAO), Katipunan, Pambansang Kilusan sa Paggawa (KILUSAN),
<br>Kapisanan ng mga Kawani sa Koreo sa Pilipinas (KKKP), Labor education
<br>and Research Network (LEARN), League of Independent Bank
<br>Organizations (LIBO), Manggagawa para sa Kalayaan ng Bayan
<br>(MAKABAYAN), MARINO, National Association of Broadcast Unions (NABU),
<br>National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), National Mines and Allied
<br>Workers Union (NAMAWU), National Association of Trade Unions (NATU),
<br>National Confederation of Labor (NCL), National Confederation of
<br>Transport Union (NCTU), National Union of Portworkers in the
<br>Philippines (NUPP), National Union of Workers in Hotel, Restaurant and
<br>Allied Industries (NUWHRAIN), Philippine Airlines Employees
<br>Association (PALEA), Pepsi Cola Employees Union of the Philippines
<br>(PEUP), Philippine Government Employees Association (PGEA),
<br>Pinag-isang Tinig at Lakas ng Anakpawis (PIGLAS), Philippine
<br>Integrated Industries Labor Union (PILLU), Philippine Independent
<br>Public Sector Employees Association (PIPSEA), Partido Manggagawa (PM),
<br>Philippine Metalworkers Alliance (PMA), Public Services Labor
<br>Independent Confederation (PSLINK), Philippine Transport and General
<br>Workers Organization (PTGWO), SALIGAN, Trade Union Congress of the
<br>Philippines (TUCP), Workers Solidarity Network (WSN).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-20376709451449470872014-04-10T15:37:00.001+08:002014-04-10T15:37:07.350+08:00Nagkaisa Labor Groups' Labor Day Demands Are Now in Aquino's HandsThe eight workers' issues and non-wage benefits raised by labor group
<br>coalition Nagkaisa since May 2012 are now in the hands of President
<br>Aquino to act on following a last minute series of meetings with
<br>members of his cabinet with the representatives of the group on
<br>Wednesday.
<br>
<br>Final details of the issues were threshed out in meetings that took
<br>place on April 8 with the secretaries of the Department of Labor and
<br>Employment (DOLE), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of
<br>Trade and Industry (DTI), and on the following day with the Department
<br>of Energy (DOE), said Alan Tanjusay, spokesman of the Trade Union
<br>Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).
<br>
<br>"After more than 100 man hours of discussions with different
<br>government staffs, undersecretaries and secretaries within the two
<br>year period, we think it is more than fair enough to say that the ball
<br>is in the hands of President Aquino. These issues are now on his
<br>table," said Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated
<br>Labor Unions-TUCP and a convenor of Nagkaisa.
<br>
<br>The issues that were finalized by the Nagkaisa and the cabinet level
<br>are for government to (1) ensure security of tenure of workers by
<br>eliminating contractualization scheme and deter extra-judicial killing
<br>of union organizers and journalists, (2) provide exemption and
<br>enhancement on minimum wage taxation, (3) institutionalize core labor
<br>standards in the agro-industrial plan, (4) lowering of the cost of
<br>electricity and protect consumers from the cartelization of power, (5)
<br>provide affordable housing program and non-violent transfer of urban
<br>poor communities from danger zones, (7) ratification of ILO Convention
<br>151--a convention concerning protection of the right to organize and
<br>procedures for determining conditions for employment in the government
<br>service, and (8) ensure a jobs-led and workers' sector participation
<br>in the planning and implementation of programs of the rehabilitation
<br>and reconstruction of Yolanda-hit areas.
<br>
<br>The group also expects Aquino to make an unequivocal commitment to his
<br>promised regular dialogue with Nagkaisa on emergent issues affecting
<br>the working class.
<br>
<br>Labor groups in Nagkaisa were always dismayed at Aquino's alleged
<br>disconnect with workers' issues raised by Nagkaisa every time he meets
<br>with labor group representatives in the traditional labor day
<br>breakfast since 2010 in Malacanang palace.
<br>
<br>"If we want to emphasize how important these issues are to labor
<br>groups in Nagkaisa, well, we have expended substantial amount of
<br>unions' financial and manpower resources for these meetings to
<br>enlighten executives the need for government to address these issues
<br>that endangers Filipino workers and their families today. As
<br>representatives of workers, we have done our part in transmitting
<br>these concerns to the administration. We will now observe very closely
<br>how the president will respond to these issues and how he treats the
<br>working people on or before May 1 Labor day," said Frank Mero,
<br>chairperson of Sentro.
<br>
<br>However, the group emphasized Nagkaisa will proceed with their Labor
<br>day activities regardless of Aquino's response.
<br>
<br>
<br>"With or without President Aquino's imprimatur on these issues,
<br>Nagkaisa labor groups will go on with our May 1 Labor day simultaneous
<br>activities nationwide. President Aquino may chose or not chose to
<br>favorably or unfavorably respond to some or to all issues we have
<br>raised to his attention, he has that choice. But Nagkaisa will pursue
<br>resolution of the issues at will whatever the cost and in any possible
<br>way because these issues are legitimate and important for workers,"
<br>added Wilson Fortaleza, spokesman of the Partido Manggagawa.
<br>
<br>Aside from ALU, Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP), PM and
<br>Sentro, there are 47 other member labor federation and workers'
<br>organizations in Nagkaisa. It was established in April 2011, the other
<br>members of Nagkaisa includes Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP),
<br>Federation of Free Workers (FFW), Public Services Labor Independent
<br>Confederation (PSLINK), Philippine Government Empoyees Association
<br>(PGEA), Confederation of Independent Unions (CIU) and KAMAO.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-37636373020610705542014-03-13T16:03:00.001+08:002014-03-13T16:03:52.615+08:00Labor group urges ERC to order full stop in rate hike<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xa-1CIljHJOUpdS2qaF9_OpbZqEjRhutqU93WFhJvzaq0_AEqngpg-zLn0i62hkpRyKa4JgasjitGL8Zg_5tKbcCOJ12ljtTLzZq3FWDwmIlDsEddoapmT3f2M1Fe590uLUqAwPm971c/s1600/nagkaisa_erc_20140312_c-732616.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Xa-1CIljHJOUpdS2qaF9_OpbZqEjRhutqU93WFhJvzaq0_AEqngpg-zLn0i62hkpRyKa4JgasjitGL8Zg_5tKbcCOJ12ljtTLzZq3FWDwmIlDsEddoapmT3f2M1Fe590uLUqAwPm971c/s320/nagkaisa_erc_20140312_c-732616.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5990181582938209554" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <br><span style="font-size:10pt">Workers want a full stop, not a mere recalculation of spot market prices which triggered sharp spikes in the December 2013 and January 2014 billing of Meralco.</span><span style="font-size:10pt"><span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">It is also demanding for the suspension of operations of the electricity spot market.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">Groups belonging to the country’s biggest labor coalition Nagkaisa made these calls during a picket held outside the offices of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) this morning, two days after the Commission issued an order voiding the applied rate hike of Meralco.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">“It would be pointless to invoke the State’s police powers if the ERC cannot impose a full stop to all rate hike petitions, including that of Meralco and other distribution utilities in Luzon that were affected by ‘market failure’ during the maintenance shutdown of Malampaya gas platform between November and December last year,” declared the group in a statement.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">Based on the findings of ERC, WESM prices during that period would not qualify as “reasonable”, “rational”, and “competitive”, thus it ordered the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) to do a recalculation of such prices.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">But initially the Commission has already found evidence of market abuse by way of physical and economic withholding of capacities by several plants that led to the tightening of supply during the said period.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">Nagkaisa, however, was cautious about a recalculation that may simply result to reduction in rates rather than the full prohibition of the amount applied, which in the case of Meralco totalled P4.15/kWh in December and P5.33/kWh in January.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">The group added that any collections made by Meralco reflecting such unjust prices must be refunded to the consumers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">“Let we remind the ERC of the principle that unjust prices resulting from market failure cannot be passed on to or borne by the consumers,” said the group.<span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify"> <span style="font-size:10pt">Workers had been accusing the ERC of ‘regulatory capture’ during the last 12 of years of EPIRA implementation.<span> <span class=""> </span></span>It also played dead on many reports pertaining to market abuse in the spot market.<span> <span class=""> </span></span>No wonder it suffered downright condemnation when it approved the Meralco rate hike of P4.15/kWh last December.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"> <span style="font-size:10pt">According to the group, the ERC is fully aware that the WESM itself is a failure since it began operating in 2006.<span> <span class=""> </span></span>By concept it is supposed to be at WESM where we can buy the cheapest electricity since the product is sold here at marginal cost of declared excess capacities of power plants.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"> <span style="font-size:10pt">In July 2006 the inaugural price at WESM was P2.00/kWh.<span> <span class=""> </span></span>During the Malampaya shutdown between November and December last year prices at WESM breached the maximum cap of P62.00/kWh.<span> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"> <span style="font-size:10pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0px 0px 0.0001pt;color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;line-height:normal;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);text-align:justify;vertical-align:baseline"> <span style="font-size:10pt">“There is no reason therefore to perpetuate this farce,” concluded Nagkaisa.</span></p></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-59263875582091170642014-02-14T13:15:00.001+08:002014-02-14T13:15:53.419+08:00Revoke Meralco Franchise, Pull the Plug on EPIRA<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <i><span style="font-family:Arial">On Valentine’s Day, the Power to the People Coalition tell Meralco, “It’s Over.”</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial">Meralco has failed the Filipino people. They promised cheap, widespread access to electricity, yet the only thing they mustered thus far are scandalous electricity rates that they expected ordinary Filipinos to meekly comply with. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial">Meralco has consistently regarded ordinary Filipino consumers with the heartless, corporate greed for profit. The most recent spike in power rates proved this. Meralco made the absurd argument that it is not responsible for the record-high electricity rates simply because it had no power over the forced outages their power suppliers implemented. It became even more ridiculous when Meralco played the victim by claiming that it had no choice but to source power from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) for the power deficit. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial">Nothing could be farther away from the truth. Documents submitted to the Supreme Court showed that it was Meralco’s order to power supplier Therma Mobile, which it controls, to bid at the maximum allowable price of P62.00 per kilowatt hour no less than 25 times during that period that was responsible for the skyhigh clearing price at the WESM. In short, Meralco gamed the market to benefit itself and other power producers. By doing so it defrauded its consumers whom it is obligated to supply electricity at the least possible cost. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial">We belie Meralco’s claims that it was powerless over the simultaneous forced outages of its power producers. The shutdown of Malampaya for maintenance, and the shutdown of two other power plants for the same reason, were all scheduled. Meralco saw it coming, and they took the most convenient and profitable course of action. They chose to sit back, game the power industry, and make consumers pay for it all. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial">That Meralco systematically abused the Filipino people is but a symptom of the failure of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA). We must not forget that EPIRA is the main source of the problem; it put the whole industry under the gang rule of private power – from generation to transmission sectors, all the way to the cooperatives in the distribution sector. Privatization of the power industry has resulted in monopoly control, inefficient power delivery and sky-high prices, in direct contradiction to the promises EPIRA made to attain efficiency and break the monopoly in the electricity industry, and lower power prices. That Meralco’s profits have risen over 100 per cent since EPIRA went into effect in 2001, and that Meralco has the power to game the market at the expense of the people is a monstrous example of EPIRA’s failure.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:0px;letter-spacing:normal;font-variant:normal;text-align:start;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:normal;color:rgb(34,34,34);text-transform:none;font-size:13px;white-space:normal;margin:0px;font-family:arial,sans-serif;word-spacing:0px"> <span style="font-family:Arial">13 years of Meralco’s greed and EPIRA’s exploitation of power consumers have pushed the people to a deeper level of destitution. To this, we raise our voice and declare that this abusive relations is over. We call on the government to heed the people’s call: it is high time the government revokes Meralco’s mega-franchise and pulls the plug on EPIRA.</span></p> </div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4810940157592225163.post-15571571266457692312014-02-10T15:15:00.001+08:002014-02-10T15:15:25.251+08:00Oppose Meralco's Threat to Trigger Brownouts if TRO is not Lifted! Revoke Meralco's License and Repeal EPIRA!<div dir="ltr">Meralco, the electricity monopoly, threatened its 5.3 million consumers with brownouts if the temporary restraining order (TRO) on its scandalous 4.5 peso per kilowatt hour is not lifted.<br><br>The threat was made by Meralco lawyer Victor Lazatin during the Supreme Court hearings on the rate hike on Feb. 4.<br> <br>Consumers will not tolerate this blackmail.<br><br>On the pretext of losing vast amounts of money, this monopoly, which made 17 billion pesos in profits in 2013, is trying to derail the investigation of its role in the suspicious series of events that led to the rate increase. Meralco has put the blame on seven of its power suppliers that went offline when the Malampaya natural gas plant underwent maintenance from Nov. 11 to Dec. 10, 2013, allegedly forcing Meralco to go to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) for its power deficit. <i>But documents submitted to the Supreme Court showed that it was Meralco’s order to a power supplier--Therma Mobile—that it controls to bid at the maximum allowable price of 62 pesos per kilowatt hour no less than 25 times during that period that was responsible for the skyhigh clearing price at WESM.</i><br> <br>Meralco gamed the market, to the detriment of its consumers whom it is obligated to supply at the least possible cost. Moreover, Meralco would not have resorted to buying at WESM’s inflated prices had it made provisions for reserve power from its suppliers in the event of a foreseeable event like the Malampaya shutdown. As President Aquino himself has said, ““There is periodic maintenance [of Malampaya] required. That’s a foreseeable event. If you know what producers of fuel will not be able to produce, then you have to find a substitute. So preparation should have been made for foreseeable events.”<br> <br>But the problem goes beyond Meralco. It goes beyond the Energy Regulatory Commission, which is the classic example of a regulator that is in the pocket of the regulated. It goes beyond the Department of Energy, which has shown itself to be completely incompetent in planning for the energy needs of the country. The main source of the problem lies in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), which has placed power generation, transmission, and distribution completely in the hands of the private sector.<br> <br>Privatization has resulted in monopoly control, inefficient power delivery, and sky-high prices, not in more efficiency, less concentration, and lower prices. Meralco, whose profits have risen over 100 per cent since EPIRA went into effect in 2001, is a monstrous example of EPIRA’s failure.<br> <br>13 years of exploiting consumers is enough! We demand the revocation of Meralco’s license and the repeal of EPIRA.</div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0