MANILA - Members of the urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) staged a protest Wednesday by blocking the northbound lane between North EDSA and Quezon Avenue for 5 minutes.

Some 20 vehicles were affected but the members of the group stepped aside before the queue of vehicles reached Quezon Avenue.

They were protesting the alleged increasing poverty incidence in the country.

They cited as an example the recent suicide of UP Manila student Kristel Tejada due to unpaid tuition.

The group claimed Tejada was a victim of the government's "anti-poor programs."

The group also wants the suspension of the bidding for the modernization of the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

According to Kadamay, other groups staged similar protests in other parts of Metro Manila like C3 Road and Camarin in Caloocan, the Kasiglahan Village Highway in Rodriguez, Rizal, and in Cagayan de Oro City.

The group vowed to hold a bigger protest on March 25 at the US Embassy and Mendiola.