Pocket protest rallies in Visayas

Protest actions in Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Capiz and Aklan provinces yesterday drew over 5,000 members of militant groups who belied President Aquino’s claims of accomplishments in his State of the Nation Address (Sona).

In downtown Cebu City, two groups held separate rallies on Colon Street at 10 a.m.

At least 200  members of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) gathered in front of Gaisano Metro and held their own “People’s Sona” where they criticized the Aquino government for failing to trickle down to the poor the economic growth, which they said only benefited big businessmen and families who helped him last elections.

About 100 meters away, some 300 members of Nagkaisa, a federation of labor groups in Cebu, also held their own mass action echoing criticisms against the Aquino administration.

“We echo the Catholic bishops’ call to Pnoy that he should do more for the poor even as workers specifically ask that government address the core issue of inequality,” Dennis Derige, secretary-general of Partido ng Manggagawa, said in a statement.

At least 3,000 protesters led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan marched in the streets of Iloilo City before converging in front of the capitol grounds, where they held a rally.

Speakers took turns decrying worsening poverty, rising costs of basic commodities and services, unemployment and low wages. /Correspondents Jhunnex Napallacan and Michelle Joy L. Padayhag and Inquirer Visayas