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Texters
take issue to GMA;
1-million text
drive launched
September
15, 2001
The consumer
advocacy group TXTPOWER todayurged texters and cellphone users
to send one million text messages to President Macapagal-Arroyo
starting on Monday, dubbing it “Oplan TXT GMA: Make government
protect consumers!” and ask for urgent government intervention
on the issue of reduction of text messages and lousy services,
among others.
The action
comes in the wake of the dismissal of a case filed before a local
court and the lifting of a temporary restraining order preventing
the implementation of reductions of free text allocations for
ten million
cellphone subscribers.
“Starting
6:00 am on Monday, let’s text the President and ask for actual
government support to consumers because we are unfortunately left
to highway robbers like Globe and Smart,” said TXTPOWER Spokesperson
Anthony Ian Cruz.
The group
said they will circulate the call to text the President through
text messaging starting today. The “Oplan TXT GMA” starts
6:00 am of Monday, Sept. 17. The President’s cellphone numbers
are: 0917-8982462, 0917-8985462, 0919-8984621, 0919-8984622, 0919-8984623.
There are
at least 10 million cellphone users in the Philippines.
They said
that the group, together with other consumer organizations, will
formally write the President next week and ask for her help.
Cruz explained
that “agencies like the National Telecommunications Commission
have failed miserably in reining in on Globe and Smart and did
not do anything to prevent the implementation of free text cuts.
We have to
tell the President how hard it is being a consumer in this wonderland
of cartels, abusive companies and insensitive government agencies.”
“The
President has reportedly issued a statement in favor of texters
and cellphone users. Now that Globe and Smart won on a technicality,
we would ask her to use the powers of the presidency in helping
at least 10 million
Filipinos who are disadvantaged in this situation,” said
Cruz.
Cruz said
that “the President could order the NTC to immediately look
into the issue and release an official statement on the text reduction
issue, as demanded by the rights of consumers. She could at least
exercise moral
suasion in convincing Globe and Smart to withdraw their plan.”
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