Workers protest on scorching Labor Day  

THE WORSENING heat index in the country did not stop workers from participating in this year’s Labor Day movement in Recto Avenue, Manila, on Wednesday, May 1. 

This year’s commemoration of Labor Day highlighted the increase in the minimum wage, the impending public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), and the continuous surge of electricity and water bills.  

“Gusto nating sabihin sa mga konsesyonaryong Maynilad, Manila Water, [na] wag naman nilang gawing negosyo ang tubig ngayong panahon ng tag-init. Panahon ng krisis ngayon, dapat magtulong-tulong,” said Rodolfo Javellana Jr., president of the United Filipino Consumers and Commuters.  

Javellana highlighted that the government should exhibit compassion by ordering companies to decrease water and electricity rates, especially in this dangerously heated climate, where water is essential. 

“Ibig sabihin, dapat sana magbawas na sila ng presyo dahil ang hirap ng buhay ngayon,” Javellana said.  

He also said that other utilities like electricity should be affordable, and the current administration must take over the control of facilities “in the service of Filipino people.” 

In December last year, the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Regulatory Office approved a new tariff rate for Maynilad Water Services Inc. and on Manila Water Co. Inc. in selected areas. 

Manila Water increased the average basic charge from P35.85 per cubic meter to P42.26 per cubic meter, which includes P1.27 per cubic meter for inflation and P5 

“Kailangan [natin] ng kuryente, pero dapat ‘yong presyo abot-kaya, ‘yan ang hiling natin kay [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] Number two, ang tubig, i-admit na rin ng presidente, may krisis sa enerhiya, may krisis tayo sa kuryente,” Javellana said. 

Last April, Marcos Jr. has announced that the country was experiencing an energy crisis due to power systems being overloaded.  

"Our consumption really spiked because it's been very hot. We are closely monitoring the situation," Marcos Jr. said when the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines raised red and yellow alerts in all parts of the country. 

While prices and rates continue to spike, workers have now demanded an increase in the minimum wage. 

“Mahirap lumaban nang gutom,” said 24-year-old non-governmental organization worker Rachelin Montero.  

Marcos Jr. on Monday ordered a reassessment of the workers’ average salaries in his Malacañang speech.  

“As President, I call upon the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage in their respective region with due consideration to the impact of inflation, among others, within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order,” he said. 

Economic think tank IBON Foundation recently said that minimum wages in 17 regions are not enough to support a typical family of five’s needs as the highest daily minimum wage sits as P610 per day in the National Capital Region.  

On the other hand, labor groups and jeepney drivers also took to the streets to make their call against the government’s public utility vehicles (PUVs) consolidation deadline under the PUVMP, which ended on Tuesday, April 30. 

Pushing for calls to extend the jeepney consolidation, Montero said that the Marcos Jr. administration must listen to the demands of the jeepney drivers regarding the modernization program.  

“Makinig naman sila, t*ngin* naman tagal-tagal na ng usapan,” she said. “Meron naman suggestion, recommendation ang drivers natin, hindi ko maintindihan bakit ‘di nila pinapakinggan ano bang mahirap sa pagtangkilik sa sarili nating mga motor?” she said.   

Transport groups Piston and Manibela’s three-day strike ends today, May 1, with fears of being phased out. 

Jeepney drivers and operators stated in several protests that the problem they see in the PUVMP is the threat to their livelihood and the expensive amount needed to modernize their jeepneys, which costs from P2.4 million to P2.8 million. 

After the deadline, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board will give a 15-day leeway for unconsolidated jeepneys to ply their routes before the government impounds the vehicles.   – Marco Luis D. Beech