[New-imc] news from manila

[Tonyo Cruz]

Hi friends! Greetings from Manila!

We're in the process of working out Pilipinas Indymedia. Pilipinas is the 
Filipino equivalent for the Philippines.

We've started recruiting five tech volunteers from the small but good Linux 
enthusiasts who will be able to make the website using open-source OS and 
software. Of course, we have also engaged about 20 individuals (all 
well-acquainted and well-connected with the Philippine anti-globalization 
movement) to make up our editorial team.

The latest here in the Philippines is that workers are renewing their 
campaign for a 125-peso wage increase. The current minimum wage of 250 
pesos is way below the cost of living pegged by government at over P500. 
Meanwhile, rice farmers are going to engage government on the issue of 
agricultural trade liberalization which is practically killing the local 
rice products. Because of imperialist globalization's onslaught of cheaper 
rice produce, the Philippines has been turned from a net rice exporter to a 
net importer. There will be a big joint peasant-worker action on Oct 21.

Tonyo