Four presidential candidates want increase in minimum wage

Four presidential candidates on Friday voiced a common stance on the need to raise the daily minimum wage of workers to help them cope with the rising cost of fuel and basic commodities.

At the “Usapang Halalan 2022: The CBCP Election Forum,” Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Manny Pacquiao, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales and labor leader Leody de Guzman, bared separate programs on how they will strengthen the economy under their respective administrations and address the gap on the workers’ salaries.

De Guzman, in pushing for a P750 daily minimum wage anew, debunked fears that raising workers’ salaries would close down factories and instead said it would stimulate the economy.

“May mga pag-aaral na hindi totoo na ang pagtaas ng sahod ay makakapagpasara ng pabrika bagkus, makakapagpaunlad ito dahil kung may pera ang tao, umuunlad ang merkado. Pag umuunlad ang merkado, madami ang bumibili at nagkakaroon ng dagdag na production at sumisigla ang buong ekonomiya,” he said.

(There are studies rejecting the idea that increasing wages would close down businesses. Instead, it will help the economy because people have money.  More consumers will boost production and enliven the economy.)

The labor leader also called for a review of the agreements entered into by the Philippines with the World Trade Organization (WTO) which he said has regulations that “destroy” the economy.

Gonzales said the next government should focus on providing opportunities for all Filipinos to become entrepreneurs.

If elected, he would open a “huge pool of capital” to all interested individuals underscoring 62 percent of the economy is run by “simple people”.

“Ang nagiging problema kasi marami tayong programa para magbigay ng kapital pero patay na ang kabayo, hindi pa dumadating ang kapital sa haba ng mga regulation,” he said.

“‘Yan ang aking susubukang tingnan dito sa atin… the viability of the capital at the quickest time possible to the many of our people who wants to do business,” he added.

(We have many programs that aim to provide capital to entrepreneurs, but the problem is they do not reach the people on time because of rigid regulations.)

Robredo and Pacquiao said raising wages would only be possible through good governance.

Robredo said “all else follows” under a leadership as it would boost  foreigners’ confidence to invest in the country.

“Napakababa ng sweldo ng bawat trabahante natin kumpara  sa mga rising prices ngayon. So dapat talaga syang ilapit pero hindi yun kaya ilapit pag di natin naayos ang pamamahala dahil kailangan munang patatagin natin yung ekonomiya para maasikaso natin yung pangangailangan ng bawat isa,” she said.

(Workers wages are low compared to the rising prices. We should close the gap, but this will be possible only through good governance. We should strengthen our economy to provide for everyone's needs.)

Pacquiao, for his part, believes salary standardization would spur development not only in the capital region but also in Mindanao.

“Ang kaguluhan sa Mindanao ay [dahil] walang development. Kung may development at opportunity sa mga tao na magkaron ng hanapbuhay, I’m sure wala nang kaguluhan na yan… No choice eh talagang hahawak ng armas, mamundok pero kung well-developed ang bansa  lalo na sa Mindanao kasi busy sila sa paghahanap-buhay at may pagkain sila sa araw-araw,” he said.

(The conflict in Mindanao is due to lack of development. If it was provided there, I’m sure it’ll stop because people will be busy with work and they can provide food for their families everyday.)—LDF, GMA News