During the recent Labor Day observations, prominent Philippine lawmakers intensified their calls for the national government to broaden financial safety nets and reinforce support systems for the labor sector.
The appeal highlights the growing desperation of workers facing a “double whammy” of soaring food costs and volatile fuel prices, largely triggered by geopolitical instability in the Middle East.
Senator Jinggoy Estrada stressed that symbolic tributes to the working class are insufficient without tangible state intervention to safeguard their economic survival.
“Higit pa sa pagbibigay-pugay at pagkilala sa kanilang mahalagang ambag sa bayan, kinakailangan ang agarang aksyon at konkretong hakbang mula sa pamahalaan.”
(“Beyond giving tribute and recognition to their important contribution to the nation, immediate action and concrete steps from the government are necessary.”)
Estrada advocated for a more aggressive distribution of financial aid, arguing that direct subsidies are essential to boosting the effective take-home pay of employees currently overwhelmed by economic pressures.
“Dapat paigtingin ang pagpapatupad ng mga programang tulad ng subsidiya at iba pang tulong upang mapalakas ang kanilang kita at mapangalagaan ang kanilang kapakanan sa gitna ng kasalukuyang mga hamon.”
(“The implementation of programs such as subsidies and other forms of assistance must be intensified to strengthen their income and protect their welfare amidst current challenges.”)
Senator Bam Aquino mirrored these concerns, pointing out a critical gap in government assistance.
He noted that the working and middle classes—who represent the vast majority of the population—often suffer the most from inflation yet frequently find themselves excluded from government relief programs.
“Mahalaga ang papel ng mga nagtatrabaho bilang matibay na haligi ng ating ekonomiya. Gayunpaman, sila rin ang labis na umaaray sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin at petrolyo. Nakalulungkot na para sa marami, wala pa ring natatanggap na anumang ayuda o tulong mula sa gobyerno.”
(“The role of workers is vital as a strong pillar of our economy. However, they are also the ones hurting most from the high prices of goods and petroleum. It is saddening that for many, they still haven’t received any aid or help from the government.”)
Aquino argued that protecting the workforce must be a cornerstone of state policy during global oil crises, urging the administration to widen the scope of its aid beneficiaries.
“Sa panahon ng sakuna o krisis, hindi puwedeng kalimutan ang mga kababayan nating nagtatrabaho. Napakahalaga na sila’y maprotektahan. Kailangang palawakin ng gobyerno ang ibinibigay nilang tulong upang sila’y mapabilang din dito.”
(“In times of disaster or crisis, we cannot forget our working countrymen. It is very important that they are protected. The government needs to expand the help they provide so that they [the workers] are included.”)
As a concrete solution for immediate relief, Aquino pushed for a strategic tax suspension, proposing a freeze on excise taxes for diesel and gasoline alongside a reduction of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 12% to 10%.
“Naniniwala ako na malaking hakbang ito upang mapagaan ang pasanin ng bawat nagtatrabahong Pilipino at ng kanilang mga pamilya, kaya patuloy nating isusulong ang mga rekomendasyong ito.”
(“I believe this is a big step to lighten the burden of every working Filipino and their families, which is why we will continue to push for these recommendations.”)
While the executive branch recently suspended excise taxes on LPG and kerosene, the administration continues to resist broader VAT suspensions on fuel, citing the necessity of that revenue to fund general government operations and existing response programs.