“The sale of public assets is being promoted as a cure-all for government budget deficits. But behind the scenes, the push for privatization is driven by corporate interests that see an opportunity for huge profits,” said Irene M. Santiago chair emerita and chief operating officer of MCW.
“Besides, the sale of public assets provides only a one-time influx of cash but is not beneficial in the long-term. Plus there is no guarantee that the money from the sale will be used to benefit the people directly and not lost to corruption,” she added.
Santiago explained that the aim is to form a steering committee for the campaign in every city and province in Mindanao, the entire nation and hopefully in the Filipino diaspora.
“Cagayan de Oro and Davao are already in the process of establishing their committees. We hope you can start yours as soon as possible. Please try to make the committee as diverse as possible, with leaders of different sectors and groups, including the youth,” she said.
The MCW head said that Filipinos and Mindanaons abroad will share out their pledges online since the campaign will also be presented through popular social media like Facebook and Twitter.
Dr. Melchie Ambalong, chair emeritus of Lanao Power Consumers Federation stressed the importance of the event especially to women.
“In most households, women are balancing the budget and making ends meet. Balancing the budget has been increasingly difficult for women now with the drastic rise in our electricity bills, which now account for nearly 15 percent of the household budget. Sometimes, they are forced to choose between buying food, tuition and paying the electric bill,” she noted.
“They worry that if the Agus Pulangi hydropower [complex] will be sold to profit- driven private interests, their electric bill will rise even more,” said Ambalong.
“The Electric Power Industry Reform Act is the root cause of the manipulation and the make-believe power crisis.
We strongly oppose the privatization of the Napocor plants and the nation’s power industry,” said Rufino Gonzaga, chairperson of Ranao Tri-people Movement for Genuine Peace and Development.
Gonzaga pointed out that the planned move of the Aquino administration to sell the power plants to private businesses would only create the real Mindanao power crisis.
Several other youth groups and organization showed their support for the call to save the power plants [from privatization].
“The youth sector here in Iligan City is united in our support and call for the campaign.
