ACKNOWLEDGING that the labor sector badly needs a “shot in the arm” in these trying times, presidential candidate Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. recently said he will push for measures that will immediately redound to a better economic condition when he is elected in the May 2022 elections.

He, however, explained that any major wage hikes at this time might meet some opposition from the business owners considering the current state of the economy, even as the country is still trying to get back on its feet after being crippled by the pandemic.

“Alam natin ang pangangailangan ng sektor ng paggawa na kailangan ding taasan ang sahod pero dahil nga hindi pa tayo nakakabangon mula sa pandemya ay siguraduhin muna nating pasiglahin ang kalakalan,” he said.

“Tiyakin muna natin ang pagbubukas ng mga kumpanya at ang pagbabalik sa trabaho ng ating mga kababayan. Mula sa ganung konsepto ay titiyakin natin ang kaluwagan at pagbibigay ng maaaring mga benepisyo sa ating mga manggagawa,” Marcos added.

He stressed that economic growth is driven by consumer spending and business investment and “it is, therefore, necessary for people to have jobs to be able to spend and pump up the economy.”

“Alam ng management (ng mga kumpanya), ng pamahalaan, at mga manggagawa ang kalagayan ng ekonomiya kaya lahat ay nagtitiis. Kahit nakikita na natin ang unti-unting pagbangon ay kailangan pa ding patatagin muna ang kalakalan at iyan ang ating pagsisikapang gawin,” Marcos said.

Economic experts noted that the business sector is cautiously waiting for the result of the May 2022 elections before venturing on business expansions or before investors pump in new capital.

Marcos emphasized that the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will be the backbone of his economic program, noting that the majority of the workforce come from this sector.

“Parang may domino effect ang pag-unlad. Kailangan nating ibangon ‘yung mga sektor na bubuhay sa ekonomiya at susunod na ang lahat. Ang isang maunlad na ekonomiya ay magbubunga ng maunlad na bansa at maunlad na mamamayan,” he said.

In closing, Marcos said trade and commerce will play an important role if the country is to obtain economic viability.

“Pangarap ko na iangat ang kabuhayan ng bawat isa, lalo na ang mga manggagawa. Kaya’t asahan ninyo na pagsisikapan natin ito. Sa sama-samang tulong ng bawat isa sa atin ay makakaahon din tayo,” he said.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco