Elijah “Eli” San Fernando, the Kamanggagawa Partylist 1st nominee, stood firm on his stance in advocating for the rights of the Filipino workers, calling for the abolishment of the provincial rate system, pushing for a living wage, and ending contractualization.
During the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Wednesday, San Fernando asserted that the provincial rate system led to wage disparities across different regions in the country.
“Isinusulong namin ang pagbubuwag sa provincial rate para magkaroon ng uniform na wage fixing mechanism, hindi regionalized, dapat uniform.”
San Fernando argues that a uniform wage fixing mechanism would ensure fairness and improve the standard of living for all Filipino workers.
He added that the Republic Act 6727, which established regionalized wages, has resulted in significant income gaps between workers in Metro Manila and those in the provinces.
“Living wage” for everyone
San Fernando also stresses the importance of implementing a living wage, as stated in Article 13 of the 1987 Constitution.
He pointed out that the current minimum wage does not align with the cost of living required for a family to survive.
“Ang nakasulat doon ay living wage, sahod na kayang bumuhay ng isang pamilya,” he mentioned.
San Fernando cited data from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), which in 2018 stated that a family of five needs at least P42,000 per month to live decently.
“Ang kasalukuyang minimum wage sa Metro Manila ay [nasa] P645, wala pa sa kalahati ng sinasabi ng NEDA,” he stressed.
However, the highest minimum wage in the country, which is P645 per day in Metro Manila, only translates to approximately P17,000 per month—less than half of the necessary amount.
‘End contractualization’ in the country
Another pressing issue that San Fernando sees is the contractualization, which he believes is exacerbated by loopholes in the Labor Code.
He emphasized that manpower agencies do not contribute directly to the production process, making them unnecessary middlemen in employment.
“Ang sinasabi namin, walang ambag iyong mga manpower agency doon sa kumpanya o doon sa produksyon mismo. Wala naman iyan dati, ang mayroon dati ay direct hire. Kaya kailangan i-direct hire ang mga manggagawa,” San Fernando added.
He calls for direct hiring policies to replace contractual arrangements and probationary statuses, which allow businesses to terminate workers before they gain regular employment status.
“Merong mga efforts na ipagbawal ang contractualization pero hindi napapatupad kasi nalulusutan,” he stated.
A call to support micro and small enterprises
San Fernando also acknowledged that increasing wages must be balanced with support for micro and small enterprises (MSEs), which he believed comprise 90% of local businesses.
“Doon sa mga micro, meron ng BMBO na tinatawag, itong mga BMBO except po yan sa minimum wage. Ngayon ang sinasabi natin dapat ang gobyerno paramihin pa incentives ng mga Micro businesses kasi ng sila nag bumubuo 90% na lokal na negosyo sa Pilipinas,” he explained.
“Kapag pinaunlad ang micro enterprises makakapag hire sila nakakalikha ng maraming trabaho oportunidad doon sa kanilang nasasakupan na lugar, “ San Fernando added.
He firmly pushed for increased government incentives and better access to capital for small businesses to prevent financial strain from competitive wages.
#BakitIkaw, Kamanggagawa Partylist?
San Fernando called for a restructuring of the partylist system to ensure that ordinary Filipinos, rather than political dynasties and business interests, have genuine representation.
“Pabor kami na buwagin ang kasalukuyang porma ng partylist para magkaroon ng representasyon ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino,” he believed.
Moreover, San Fernando said that the Kamanggagawa Partylist will continue to fight for fair wages, job security, and workers' rights for all Filipinos.
He urged the public, especially the voters, to support candidates who truly understand and experience the daily struggles of workers.
“Kung gusto niyo mabuwag na ang walang kwentang provincial rate, maipantay na ang minimum wage sa NCR, Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao. Magkaroon ng hustisya ang mga manggagawa, iboto natin ang mga kandidatong hindi lang nangangako kundi may tunay na malasakit sa mga manggagawa,” he concluded.
