SUMMARY
This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
MANILA, Philippines – How do you express anger on Valentine’s Day?
Consumers protesting the proposed power rate increase of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) – suspended temporarly by the Supreme Court – chose Friday, February 14, to dramatize their sentiments by marching to the Meralco main office in Pasig City.
Their placards read: “Meralco breaks consumers’ hearts,” “Break na tayo Meralco,” and “Buti pa ang saging may puso, ang Meralco wala!”
The Power to the People Coalition (PPC), an alliance of militant groups, is pushing for the revocation of Meralco’s franchise and the repeal of the Electricity Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).
“Like any other battered partner which has suffered so much heart-breaking blows and broken promises under… thirteen years of EPIRA, we can no longer stomach Meralco’s attitude towards its consumers,” said Leody de Guzman, national chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, a member of the the coalition. “We demand a total break from the threats of blackmail, sky-rocketing prices, market abuse and inefficient delivery of supply.”
Meralco has defended its move to increase its rates, saying it had to source power from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) following the shutdown of its major power source, the Malampaya gas field, as well as the simultaneous outages of its other power plant suppliers.
It argued that it took measures to mitigate the effects of these shutdowns. The SC is hearing oral arguments for and against the proposed hike.
Protest goes pop
The protest rally featured a mascot, Kapitan reVOLT, which will soon introduce VOLTina, BULBa, and a few other junior members. “We are holding the power protest on Valentine’s Day because we want to enlighten people on real issues and to encourage them to not escape our present problems with a one-day, commercialized celebration,” Kapitan reVOLT said.
In real life, Kapitan reVOLT is Reynante “Ador” Sacaguing, a middle-aged family man, husband, and father to two children. He is also an organizer of the Freedom from Debt Coalition and a cultural worker for Kultura para sa Kalayaan.
While he recognizes the entertainment value of his character, what Ador really wants is to reach a broader mass base through popular means and convey the message of their protest: “Power to the people.” – Rappler.com
Add a comment
How does this make you feel?
There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.