MANILA, Philippines -- An "awareness campaign" for public and private transport drivers on the issue of oil price increases was staged by a militant labor group Friday.

The Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU, May 1st Movement) distributed stickers bearing the words, "No to VAT" along España Avenue.

Nita Gonzaga, KMU vice president for women's affairs, said since they could not force President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down, they would just "educate" the people instead.

"Ito ay isang awareness campaign para sa mga driver na hindi maganda ang nagiging resulta ng pagtaas ng gasoline [This is an awareness campaign for the drivers on the ill effects of the rising prices of gasoline]," she said.

Gonzaga added that today's protest was the start of weekly protests against VAT on oil and the need to implement the P125 across the board wage increase.

"Magkakabit kasi ang dalawang iyon. Dinadagdagan nila ang pasahe pero ang sahod namin ganoon pa rin [The two are connected. They implemented a fare increase but our wages are still the same]," she said.

The group was also not in favor of the recent fare increase, saying the workers were most affected by it.

"Nag-trickle down kasi yan sa mga manggagawa eh [That trickled down to the workers]," Gonzaga said.

The group also scoffed at the P4 billion subsidy for the poor that the President would provide, saying Arroyo was using the "blood and sweat" of workers to boost her image.

"Itong mga doleouts na ito ay hindi talaga paglilingkod sa mamamayan [These doleouts are not really service to the people]," Gonzaga said.