• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Kabataan Partylist Representative Atty. Renee Co questioned the statement of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) that P500 is enough for a noche buena.
“Why does our government have that perception? Are they really that out of touch with the needs of our citizens?” she said.
Co was among the speakers of the Trillion Peso March at the Bacolod Public Plaza, led by the Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance-Negros, Diocese of Bacolod, One Negros Ecumenical Council, and the Katipunan ng Kabataan Laban sa Korapsyon.
The protest brought together at least 2,500 individuals from various sectors, including the church, laborers, farmers, youth, and climate advocates.
It coincides with the commemoration of Bonifacio Day.
“They need to land on the ground and join us at the market to buy ingredients because it’s unacceptable that the cost of living continues to rise while the salary is very low,” she added.
Meanwhile, a daily monitoring system is being conducted by the DTI along with the Local Price Monitoring Council of Bacolod City to various grocery stores.
When asked about the P500 noche buena statement, Engiemar Tupas, Chief Trade Development Specialist of DTI-Negros, said that they were directed not to comment.*
