President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should mention in her State of the Nation Address that the Philippines is now a ‘noodles republic’, AKBAYAN partylist and Black and White Movement said while staging protest in Quezon City on Sunday.
The two groups stressed that Arroyo’s ineffective anti-poverty programs resulted to the growing number of hungry Filipinos. The Black and White Movement added that many of the poor families have no choice but to depend on instant noodles, which is cheaper than rice, long considered as the staple in Filipino food plates. World price of rice skyrocketed in the past months as major importing countries, such as the Philippines, had to contend with moves of rice exporting countries that vastly reduced market supply.
A DzMM report quoted AKBAYAN as saying Arroyo should reveal in her SONA the real situation of the country amid the skyrocketing prices of rice, fuel, and other commodities.
After the protest, they served porridge to about 300 kids in Brgy. Tatalon in Quezon City and said that more Filipino children now live in poverty.