MANILA, Philippines — The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) filed last September 26 House Bill No. 6474 which seeks to provide a Labor Empowerment Assistance Program (LEAP).
The bill includes a P500 month subsidy to around four million minimum wage earners who are also members of the Social Security System (SSS).
The said amount is specifically intended for workers’ food and basic services.
The Associated Labor Unions-TUCP said such proposal is timely because the prices of basic commodities are constantly increasing.
“It’s not in a form of cash but a voucher. So it cannot be used to purchase liquor or cigarette,” said ALU-TUCP Vice President Louie Corral.
The group also urges President Rodrigo Duterte to mark the bill as priority or likely issue an executive order.
Labor groups mentioned the proposal last Labor Day. It will cause the government two billion pesos monthly once the proposal is approved for execution.
“Ang initial ng reaction niya [President Duterte], may funds available. Puwedeng kunin ito doon sa CCT program o sa mga nalalabing savings ng mga gov’t agencies,” said Corral.
For some minimum wage earners, the subsidy will somehow make their daily spending lighter.
“Malaking tulong po yun samin dagdag po yun sa pangangailangan namin,” said Roldan Anguba, a security guard and a minimum wage earner.
“Nagbabaon po ako ng kanin para mas makakatipid,” said Reymart Olera, a utility man.
ALU-TUCP said that a family of five can live decently with a budget of P1,200 a day.
The minimum wage now amounts to P512 after the wage board implemented the P21 wage increase last week. — Rey Pelayo | UNTV News & Rescue
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