“President Arroyo can claim to have successfully achieved her SONA targets year after year but the fact remains that rice prices have soared 100% since she first came into power in 2001. Gabriela Women’s Party holds the Arroyo leadership personally responsible for the widespread hunger and poverty that our country has sunk into.”
Thus said Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Liza Largoza Maza noting that rice was sold at an average of P17.00 per kilo when President Arroyo first delivered her SONA in 2001. “Today, the cheapest commercial rice is at P34-36.00 per kilo.”
Rep. Maza also criticized the National Food Authority as it announced its intent to limit the access to cheap NFA rice by September. “How else will our people cope with the unending increase in the prices of rice, oil and basic commodities?”
“The economy has been downhill since President Arroyo assumed office in 2001. The price of gasoline and diesel in January 2001 was at P16.56 and P13.82 respectively. Today it has increased by as much as 380-420% and is pegged at P62.00 and P58.00. Seven years ago, the daily cost of living for a family of six was at P420, today it is at P894,” Maza lamented.
The lawmaker joined fellow Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan and representatives from Bayan Muna and Anakpawis in announcing their intent to boycott the coming State of the Nation Address and instead join street protests this coming Monday.
“This year’s SONA, we predict, will be a litany of lies, a parade of fake economic gains.”#
Gabriela Women's Party 