Frontliners honored as heroes

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential adviser on peace, reconciliation and unity Carlito Galvez Jr. paid tribute yesterday to frontliners as a new breed of Filipino heroes that brave the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, Galvez said that doctors, nurses, soldiers, police officers, barangay health workers, fast food service crew, riders, factory workers and local government officials have been on the frontlines to ensure the health, safety and security of the Filipino people.

“Today, we honor all of those who valiantly fought for our nation’s freedom until their final breath – Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Gabriela Silang, Melchora Aquino – just to name a few,” Galvez said.

“As we commemorate National Heroes’ Day, let us also pay tribute to these outstanding professionals who have, day in and day out, been risking their lives so that they can serve their fellow Filipinos,” Galvez said.

“Let us also not forget our peace builders, peace advocates and peace workers who are at the forefront of efforts to push forward and sustain the gains of the comprehensive Philippine peace process. They, too, are among our nation’s unsung heroes,” Galvez added.

He said that under its banner of unity, the administration of President Marcos stands behind all of the peace builders and peace advocates as they work toward realizing the collective goal of achieving a just and lasting peace for all Filipinos.

Decent wages

Sen. Raffy Tulfo is pushing for decent wages for government workers like local street sweepers and traffic aides, who are still being paid below industry standards.

“Until now, there are still many government employees who do not have job security and adequate wages, including street sweepers and traffic aides in various municipalities,” Tulfo said.

“If the government is serious in protecting workers’ rights and fighting against unjust labor practices, it must start by ensuring that people working for the government are earning a decent salary,” he added, as he urged government to lead by example by complying with labor standards, which entitle employees to a minimum wage.

Under Local Budget Circular No. 143 (s. 2022), the salary of street sweepers and traffic aides is dependent on the income classification of local government units.

Street sweepers can earn a maximum of P14,993 a month to as low as P8,648, which is equivalent to around P376 a day.

Traffic aides, for their part, can earn a maximum of P17,899 a month to as low as P9,181.00 or P399 a day.

“The government needs to show that it is important to comply with labor standards in the law no matter how small or big your industry is. This is also to stop the abuse of workers, especially in private companies where not only insufficient wages, but also contractualization is rampant,” he added.

‘Treat us as heroes’

Militant groups under the progressive All Workers Unity (AWU) coalition yesterday dared President Marcos to treat the working class as the country’s heroes as they led a wreath-laying ceremony at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on National Heroes’ Day.

In a statement, Elmer Labog, one of AWU’s convenors, urged Marcos to treat the workers “with dignity if he really wants to achieve genuine unity lest he gets the ire of the Filipino workers and people.”

“Today, National Heroes Day, we remember not only the Great Plebian but the millions of other workers whose contribution ensures the functioning and nurturing of Filipino society. Workers run the economy and pay taxes dutifully and yet are deprived of government support,” the group said. – Neil Jayson Servallos, Marc Jayson Cayabyab