At least 25 organizations of workers, vendors, urban poor, religious groups, academics, and other democratic sectors in Davao launched the Rolbak Network on October 3 in Davao City. The new network aims to monitor the rising prices of basic commodities and fight for the economic welfare and rights of consumers in the region.

“We are all burdened by the rising prices of goods. Let’s uphold the duty to inform the public about inflation and its effect on the prices of products and services,” Pamela Librado, the network’s convener, said in a Facebook post. Librado is a well-known supporter of workers’ and women’s rights, having served as a councilor in Davao City in the past.

Among the organizations that attended the network’s launching was Bayan Muna-Southern Mindanao. To support the network, Bayan Muna said it will continue to advocate for the repeal of the value added tax (VAT), the TRAIN Law, and the Oil Deregulation Law, which all pump up the prices of goods and services.

The group is holding the national government accountable for its failure to fulfill its responsibility under the Price Act amid rising prices of goods. The group plans to push for amendments to the law to give the masses “alleviation from the steep price increases of goods.”