Militant labor group hits PSA over data
CEBU, Philippines — The Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo-Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA Sugbo-KMU) decries the recent data from the Philippine Statistic Authority (PSA) stating that a Filipino who can afford to spend P18.62 per meal is not considered poor.
“Klaro kini nga pagpaubos sa gobyerno sa ilang datos sa lista sa mga kabus. Usa kini nga porma sa padayong pagdaog-daog sa kabus aron dili na mapugos ang gobyerno nga sulbaron ang ilang mga panawagan,” said Jaime Paglinawan, chairperson of AMA Sugbo-KMU, in a statement.
AMA-Sugbo-KMU also believes the government will use it to justify the dismissal of the clamor for a national minimum wage that is based on a living wage for the private sector workers.
According to the data from IBON Foundation, a family of five would need P1,087 per day in order to live decently, which includes being able to afford 3 meals a day, rent, clothes, and other basic necessities.
Paglinawan also said that the data from PSA is largely contradictory and even deceitful from the data that the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) released in 2018 that a family of five would need P42,000 per month or P1,400 per day to survive.
“Kani nga mga numero dakong insulto sa kabus nga nakahibaw sa tinuod nga kahimtang sa mga palaliton ug batakang serbisyo, nga ang minimum wage dili na paigo sa usa ka adlaw nga mga gastuonon,” Paglinawan said.
Paglinawan further said that they challenge the authorities at PSA and of the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to personally experience a P20 budget per meal.
He said they are willing to accompany any government official who wishes to try and experience how it is to live at P20 per meal budget.
Paglinawan urged the government to urgently solve the economic crisis instead of downplaying the situation. — FPL (FREEMAN)
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