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Friday, October 22, 2004
Speak out: Using the poor for a PR stunt
By Kilusang magbubukid ng Pilipinas-Cebu
Malacañang spin doctors must be fooling themselves in thinking that the growing impoverishment of the people could be converted into a PR stunt to deodorize the image of President Arroyo and save her plunging approval rating.
The proposal to issue food coupons to the poor, though, is not in it’s entirety a bad idea. It would, if properly implemented, provide even a small measure of relief for the country’s poor.
But the coupons can only go so far. What does it cover, a can or two of sardines, two packets of instant noodles, half-kilo bags of rice, coffee and milk?
Arroyo wants to appear as an angel of mercy but in truth the entire scheme is somewhat insulting to the poor.
They are not asking for dole-outs. What they need and demand are genuine land reform, sustainable employment, living wages, decent housing, health and education for their children.
If Arroyo were sincere in helping the poor, then she would back off and scrap her proposed new taxes.
She would lay a firm hand and end the profiteering of the Big Three oil cartels, increase agricultural subsidy and support services for food production.
(October 22, 2004 issue)
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