DOLE chief backs labor group’s P500/mo. subsidy proposal for minimum wage earners

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello II on Wednesday said he was supporting a labor group's proposal to give P500 cash voucher subsidy to all minimum wage earners amid the possible increase in the prices of basic commodities due to the Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law.

Bello said he was seriously considering the proposals under the "Labor Empowerment and Assistance Program" (LEAP) crafted by the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. The Labor chief, however, clarified that the Department of Budget and Management's (DBM) approval is still needed.

”Ang request ng labor movement group is that we should also give them yung conditional cash transfer of P500 each maaring gagawin namin yun depende sa concurrence ng aming mga economic advisers," said Bello

Under the LEAP, a monthly emergency financial subsidy of P500shall be provided to each minimum wage earner in the form of a cash voucher to avail beneficiaries of food and other grocery items.

The measure also proposes that workers-beneficiaries should be identified and validated through the Social Security System or SSS and the Department of Labor and Employment.

"Pag dating kasi ng TRAIN inaasahan namin na tataas ang mga bilihin, tataas ang serbisyo, so dapat yung mga manggagawa hindi sila maiiwan hindi sila masasagaan ng train." said Alan Tanjusay, ALU-TUCP spokesperon.

The TUCP said minimum wage earners will suffer the most because the prices of basic commodities have already increase due to inflation, even before the implementation of the TRAIN law.

This, TUCP said, may further weaken their financial capacity to provide for their families basic needs.

"Kaya itong subsidy na ito para hindi mag-fall through the cracks at maging mahirap ulit, mahirap na nga magiging poverty level na," said ALU-TUCP national vice president for national and international affairs Louie Corral.

Funds for the P500 subsidy for minimum wage earners will come from the conditional cash transfer funds according to Bello. The DBM has yet to comment about the proposal. — MDM, GMA News