MORE than 750 workers from across the country filled the plenary gallery of the House of Representatives today, making a silent but strong show of support to call for the immediate calendaring of House Bill 8081 or the National Minimum Wage Bill.
Led by Kamanggagawa Partylist Rep. Eli San Fernando, the contingent—composed of workers from healthcare, transport, gaming, education, automotive, ride-hailing, and urban poor—converged at the Batasan Complex just two days before Congress adjourns for its session break.
“Nananawagan ang mga manggagawa dahil sa gitna ng krisis sa langis, mukhang nakalimutan ang usapin ng sahod. Pinag-uusapan ang pagbabawas ng excise tax at pagsuspinde ng VAT, pero bakit walang nag-uusap tungkol sa sahod? Ang panawagan natin: all the more na may krisis, dapat lalong pag-usapan ang sahod,” San Fernando said.
San Fernando recalled the promise made by Speaker Bojie Dy, who previously stated that the passage of a unified national wage would be the government’s “gift” to workers this coming Labor Day.
“May pangako na pinanghawakan ang mga manggagawa. Sinabi mismo ni Speaker Dy na magiging regalo ito sa May 1. Pero ang problema, matatapos na ang sesyon. Kung hindi ito maisasalang sa plenaryo on or before March 18, malabo na yung pangakong regalo,” the lawmaker added.
The lawmaker expressed frustration over the delay, noting that the bill already enjoys overwhelming support within the chamber. Currently, HB 8081 has the backing of 191 lawmakers, with 171 of whom are co-authors, 9 principal authors, and 11 who have expressed public support.
“Napakalawak ng suporta ng mga tao at maging ng mga mambabatas sa panukalang ito. Popular ang bill na ito sa loob ng House at lalong popular ito sa labas, sa bawat ordinaryong Pilipino. So, what’s the delay? Bakit kailangang patagalin kung halos lahat naman ay sang-ayon na kailangan na ito?” San Fernando asked.
A large portion of the 750-strong contingent traveled from various provinces in Luzon, with some representatives even flying in from Visayas and Mindanao. According to San Fernando, the oil crisis hits provincial workers the hardest because they deal with high logistics costs while surviving on significantly lower wages compared to those in the capital.
“Mas matindi ang epekto ng krisis sa langis sa probinsya, pero doon din mas mababa ang sahod. Hindi ito makatarungan. We are appealing again to the Committee on Rules: Isalang na natin itong panukalang batas na ito. Huwag nating paasahin ang mga manggagawa na nag-abang at naniwala sa pangako ng Kongreso.”
The workers’ contingent vowed to remain on standby until the final day of the session, awaiting the decision of the Committee on Rules to officially calendar the bill for plenary discussion.
