“Thumbs down,” said Arta Maines, president of a semiconductor union in Laguna.
Maines attended the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) State of the Nation (SONA) watch party in Manila.
“Nakakalungkot, nakakapanghina. Walang pakialam sa manggagawa, eh ,” said Maines.
“The President missed it. He admitted that there has been growth the past three years but it has not trickled down to ordinary Filipinos. For growth to impact workers we need a wage increase towards living wages—this he failed to mention,” said Atty. Sonny Matula, president of the FFW.
SOCIAL PROTECTION MISSING FROM SONA
“We wished we heard the President vow not to take away PhilHealth funds anymore, and that government will subsidize the Social Security System (SSS),” added Matula.
Still, the FFW commended the projected improvements in health.
“Okay yang Zero bill kapag na-confine ka sa public hospital at libreng dialysis at kidney transplant na kabilang sa health improvements,” said Matula.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The FFW welcomed the mention of renewable energy but lamented not hearing about just transition.
“We need to transition to a low carbon economy in promoting renewables. This requires removal of our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Julius Cainglet, FFW vice president for Research, Advocacy, and Partnerships (RAP).
“This in turn requires a just transition that runs on robust social protection mechanisms. This, we did not hear from Marcos, Jr.,” added Cainglet.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS, WORKER RIGHTS
The FFW scored the continued over reliance on foreign investments.
“The President is opening up our critical minerals, energy, and transportation to foreign investments, but only commit to provide meager support for micro, small and medium enterprises. Why can’t government invest in developing our basic industries instead?” asked Matula.
Workers, the FFW said, were also hoping to hear more concrete government commitments to full respect for trade union and human rights to no avail.
“We need concrete programs to help remove the Philippines from the notorious list of the 10 worst countries for workers per the Global Rights Index. The workers’ right especially to freedom of association, must be respected and promoted. Let’s put an end to the culture of impunity,” said Matula.
Finally the FFW see bright prospects in ridding government of corruption and exacting accountability.
“The name and shame scheme—that of publishing the names especially of flood control projects that are subpar or nonexistent as suggested by the President is a step in the right good governance direction,” said Matula.
