Groups expect details on jobs creation, fighting inflation from Bongbong Marcos 1st SONA

Employers and workers groups want to hear from President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday  the details on how his administration will create jobs and address the rising inflation.

“We will be focused on job creation… that is what we want to hear. The details on how this will be done,” Employers Confederation of the Philippines president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. said in a mix of Filipino and English during an interview on Dobol B TV on Saturday.

For his part, Nagkaisa Labor Coalition convener and spokesperson Rene Magtubo said the labor sector wants Marcos to lay down the specifics on how he will address inflation.

Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inflation -- the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services -- quickened to 6.1% in June from 5.4% in May and the downwardly revised 3.7% in June 2021. 

This is also the fastest inflation print since the 6.9% recorded in October 2018 and the same reading seen in November 2018.

“Will there be cash aid? Wage increase? How will the rising prices be mitigated?” Magtubo pointed out.

Likewise, the labor leader said workers are struggling to make ends meet while the prices of commodities are rising, but wages are not keeping up.

Marcos will be delivering his first SONA on July 25.

Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez said the President will be talking about plans for economic recovery, resumption of face-to-face classes, and the administration's COVID-19 response. —LBG, GMA News