Peoples' Organizations in Iligan City to endorse Common Peoples' Agenda

by: Limbag Malayang Kaisipan 28 April 2013

Iligan City - In time of the 2013 mid-term Election in May 13, peoples' organizations gathered and discussed today (28 April 2013) various sectors' situations and issues and the possible alternatives. 

The groups decided to unify under Iligan Peoples' Agenda (IPA). This will be the platform for the continuous solidarity and unity among sectors beyond electoral engagement. 

The group agreed that Iligan City residents have continuously hit by the impact of the 12% Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT), Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), Oil Deregulation Law (ODL) and the pro-business Public-Private Partnership program, and less focus on Social Services like health, education, housing, water, electricity, agriculture and community development.

On Power Privatization, the group is in the opposition of this policy and proposed for the Nationalization of the Electric Industry and to develop and establish strong and efficient mechanism for its services.

On Oil Deregulation Law, IPA supports and joined the transport sector in the struggle against the said law. Instead, it proposes to nationalize the Oil Industry and allocate buffer fund.

Local and national candidates must have concrete legislative measures for the implementation of the minimum wage increase and benefits across the country to ensure workers rights and welfare.

At the same time, IPA also positioned to demand to candidates to come up with clear program on agriculture and environment, and to remind candidates on the Sendong Survivors situation and demands. 

Iligan Peoples Agenda (IPA) strongly and unanimously agreed that social services should not be privatized but allocations and efficiency must be dealt accordingly. 

A Common Peoples' Platform will be released and endorsed on May 1, in time of the International Workers Day 2013. 

IPA also called on the candidates to stop their mud-slaying against each other, instead focus on their platform and plans, while IPA will also encourage voters to be wise enough and be critical in making decisions this coming election.

The Common Peoples' Agenda will be campaigned as the real electoral platform of the people themselves.

IPA is composed of Coalition of Lanao Utiliity Transport for Change (CLUTCH), Iligan Survivors Movement (ISM), Liga ng Makabagong Kabataan (LMK), Lig-ong Hiniusang Kusog sa mga Kabus-Dakbayan (LIHUK), and Ranao TriPeople Movement for Genuine Peace and Development (RTMGPD).

IPA will join the May 1 Labor Day Protests around the world.