The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros gave President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo a failing grade of 2 on a scale of 1-10 in their own version of the State of the Nation Address at the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City yesterday.

Bayan-Negros secretary general Felipe Levy Gelle yesterday said their SONA was about the nine years of suffering and oppression of the Filipinos under the Arroyo administration.

He said the Arroyo regime has neglected the needs of the people so the rate of poverty has increased in 2006 compared to 2003.

Gelle said data from the Social Weather Station showed that about 16 million Filipinos have experienced or suffered from hunger as of December 2008.

“The proposed amendment of the Constitution for us is the last card Arroyo has so she could remain in power through charter change via a constituent assembly,” he said.

Bebot Santillan, chairman of the United Negros Drivers and Operators Center, said the Arroyo administration has not brought any improvement to the lives of the drivers, nor has it helped alleviate their situation. It has no specific social services provided for the drivers, especially those operating public utility vehicles, he said.

Santillan also scored the Arroyo administration for the continued increase of  prices of fuel, the massive apprehension of drivers with the approval of Department of Transportation and Communications Department Order 2008-93 which increased the penalties of the drivers, increase in taxes, and the Oil Deregulation Law which he said has affected the drivers and operators.

Rina Amacio of Gabriela-Negros said the Arroyo administration has not attended to the needs of the women and the people and has no decisive programs for them.

She said Arroyo should not wait for 2010 to leave Malacañang since her stay for another month or year will only bring more sufferings to the women sector.

Bayan-Negros and its allied organizations joined the Church-led rally at the Bacolod Plaza yesterday to demand that Arroyo step down by 2010.*CGS

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