Marcos to lead Labor Day rites in General Santos

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos leads the Labor Day celebration in General Santos City today, to be highlighted by the launch of a job facilitation program and the distribution of financial aid. It’s not clear if the President will announce wage hikes or any immediate relief package for workers.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos will attend the 124th Labor Day “Disenteng Trabaho Para sa Lahat (decent jobs for all)” program and witness the distribution of financial aid in the southern city.

Asked at a press briefing yesterday whether Marcos would deliver good news during the event, Castro said she did not want to preempt the President.

Castro said the government is focused on strengthening employment facilitation through the Department of Labor and Employment and the public employment service offices in various local governments. The DOLE is also carrying out initiatives like the Special Program for the Employment of Students, Government Internship Program and JobStart, she added.

Castro also cited the livelihood programs of the trade, social welfare and migrant workers departments. “The government, the DOLE will not allow you to remain jobless,” the Palace press officer said.

After the Labor Day events, Marcos is scheduled to meet with Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the president of the Olympic Council of Asia.

The Philippine National Police said it is on full alert for rallies by militant groups today.

Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, spokesman for the PNP, said PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. wanted more national support units on deck in anticipation of mass actions.

Also part of the Labor Day celebration, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) will set up Yaman ng Kalusugan Program registration sites today to accommodate over 6,500 employed members nationwide. YAKAP is a national primary care benefit package offering free, comprehensive outpatient services such as consultations, laboratory tests, cancer screening including mammography and colonoscopy to members.

“Based on the number of predetermined beneficiaries, there will be around 6,517 (members targeted for registration) nationwide,” PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Edwin Mercado said.

Yesterday, business and labor groups called on the government to undertake a review to suspend or remove the value-added tax (VAT) on essential goods.

VAT review

In a joint statement, the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Federation of Free Workers, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa and the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said they are for a targeted review and removal or suspension of the VAT on essential goods, particularly fuel, electricity and basic commodities.

“Workers and employers may come from different sectors, but we face the same reality: the rising cost of essential goods is placing unsustainable pressure on both livelihoods and businesses,” the groups said.

While the imposition of VAT is important from a fiscal perspective, the groups said it affects affordability of goods, enterprise viability and overall economic activity.

They said that rising prices of food, fuel, transport and other essential goods, are eroding workers’ wages and straining household budgets.

A labor group representing business process outsourcing (BPO) workers, for its part, called for the implementation of a P1,200 daily minimum wage

Meanwhile, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) and allied labor groups renewed their call for Congress to pass a P200 across-the-board daily wage increase nationwide.

FFW president Sonny Matula said the proposed hike is necessary amid continuing economic pressures. — Louella Desiderio, Christine Boton, Rhodina Villanueva