Eufemia Doringo of urban poor group Kadamay during the online press conference
MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s railway projects should be used for transporting agricultural products and not for boosting tourism, urged an urban poor group on Tuesday.
During an online presser, Eufemia Doringo of Kadamay said Marcos’ mention of continuing railway projects in his State of the Nation Address (Sona) was good if they were for transporting agricultural products.
“Maganda po yung nabanggit niya na mga railways kung magagamit po ito para i-transfer yung mga produkto ng mga magsasaka para sa pagpunta sa mga pamilihang-bayan, para mas mababa yung presyong mabibili ng mga consumer, na katulad namin,” she said.
(It is good that he mentioned railroads if they can be used to transport farmers’ products to town markets. The project will enable them to be sold at lower prices to consumers like us.)
However, Doringo highlighted that Marcos mentioned that the railway projects would be used to make transportation faster to tourist destinations.
She added that this means the President is more drawn to making plans for capitalists and not for the well-being of the Filipino citizens.
“Pero sa bibig po mismo ni Pangulong Marcos sinabi niya na ang pagtatayo ng mga railways, ng mga kalsada, ay para mapabilis yung pagpunta sa mga destinations – mga tourist destinations,” Doringo said.
(But from President Marcos’ own words, he said that roads and railways are being built to speed up transportation to tourist destinations.)
“Ibig sabihin, nakaturol po yung mga proyekto niya at mga plano para sa dun sa mga kapitalista pa rin at hindi para sa kagalingan ng mga mamamayan,” she added.
(That means his projects and plans are directed at capitalists and not for the well-being of the people.)
Doringo expressed displeasure at the President’s preference for capitalist welfare over the needs of urban citizens.
“Kaya po sa ganitong punto, nakakagalit na isipin na uunahin pa rin nila ang kapakanan ng mga kapitalista, habang patuloy ang panawagan ng mga mahihirap na katulad namin [para] sa ayuda,” she said.
(So, at this point, it is infuriating to think that they will still prioritize the interests of the capitalists while the poor people like us continue to plead for assistance.) – Christine Annie Asistio, INQUIRER.net intern