Migrante International condemns the Senate’s railroading of Aquino’s 2012 budget. Contrary to statements from Aquino’s allies in the Senate, the 2012 budget is anti-poor, pro-privatization and does nothing to improve lack of social services and the country’s deteriorating economy.
Aggregate funds for direct OFW services in concerned agencies such as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and other affixed agencies remain less than one (1) percent of the total P1.8 trillion 2012 national budget. Budget cuts on items for welfare and services and reintegration for OFWs were not given additional allocation.
Migrante International agrees with Sen. Joker Arrroyo that the Aquino’s 2012 budget is not a budget for reform. It is clearly a budget for debt-servicing, privatization and militarization. The 2012 budget reflects Aquino’s priorities in governance and economy – privatization in favor of big businesses, subservience to foreign interests, a more catastrophic implementation of a labor export policy, and intensified counter-insurgency at the expense of a just and lasting peace.
Migrante International calls on all its chapters and networks to protest Aquino’s 2012 budget by holding simultaneous actions and indignation rallies here and abroad starting November 25. On the date of the bicameral meetings, Migrante International will join other sectors in protest, and participate in the camp-out protest in Mendiola against budget cuts on December 6 to 8. OFWs and families will end the year with a resounding protest on December 18, International Migrants’ Day. ###
