Groups rally for lower prices, higher wages on Bonifacio Day

Members of various progressive organizations marched and gathered in Manila on Wednesday, Bonifacio Day, to protest the effects of the “cost-of-living crisis.”

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Renato Reyes Jr. told GMA News Online that he has yet to receive the information on the number of protesters but it was estimated at “several thousands.”

In a statement, Reyes said their group joined Filipino workers in demanding for a substantial wage increase and for government action to stem the rise in prices.

“The holiday cheer has already been dampened by the shrinking basket of goods that the ordinary Filipino can afford given the insufficient wages and soaring prices,” he said, noting the 7.7% inflation.

Reyes called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to come up with a public statement regarding wage hike.

“Is he for or against a substantial wage increase? Is he for or against an increase in the salaries of public sector workers? Will he push through with new taxes amid rising inflation?” he said.

“There are very urgent issues that require a clear and categorical response from the chief executive.”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Marcos said he is hoping that the price of rice will go down in time for the Christmas season.

It was Marcos' campaign promise to reduce the price of rice to as low as P20 per kilo.

According to a tweet by GMA Integrated News' Raffy Tima, the groups gather at Plaza Miranda before marching to Liwasang Bonifacio. 

Effigies of Marcos and United States President Joe Biden were on display at the venue.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) public information office chief Police Major  Anthony Alising said that as of 10:00 a.m. the protesters were at Nicanor Reyes Street - C.M. Recto Avenue heading to Chino Roces Bridge in Mendiola.

Labor agenda sought

In a statement, Senator Risa Hontiveros called on Malacañang to immediately craft a labor agenda to address the "worsening income and employment problems" of Filipino workers.

“I think it is an urgent matter that we heed the calls of labor groups,” she said.

She added, noting the administration's “all-star economic team,” that “[t]here must be a comprehensive plan to help workers cope with increasing inflation rates, declining job quality, and persistent unemployment.”

She also expressed support to NAGKAISA Labor Movement in its call for policies that address the most important issues in the labor sectors and for the reforms to the labor laws.

Among the initiatives that they are calling for were pay hikes and reforms in the wage-setting procedures, public employment, contractualization, trade union repression, and a summit on industrial and labor relations policies, Hontiveros mentioned.

“The government should consider programs that guarantee income and employment. Gawin din nating prioridad ulit yung usapin ng security of tenure na masyadong pinapatagal. Anti-poor policies like contractualization need to be seriously reconsidered in this volatile economy,” Hontiveros said. —with Hana Bordey/KBK, GMA Integrated News