While Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo believes that the most vulnerable sectors, particularly the workers, must be prioritized, she also wants to create an environment where businesses thrive.
If she wins the presidency in 2022, Robredo said she will aim for a "level playing field" where help for both the Filipino workers and businesses are provided.
"We will make sure government is there to help the more vulnerable. Level playing field ito sa lahat, pero naiintindihan ko na dapat iyong aksyon ng government, mas tinutulungan niya iyong mas nangangailangan (This is a level playing field for all, but I also understand that the government must help more those in need). Pero (But) having said that, I’ll also provide an environment for businesses to thrive," Robredo said on Tuesday, Nov. 9.
The opposition leader argued that this is actually attainable because helping the vulnerable sectors while ensuring that businesses will thrive "is not mutually exclusive."
"Actually, iyong pag-thrive ng businesses is part of helping the labor sector. Pero (But) we will always find ways in making sure na iyong mga naiiwan sa—iyong parati kong sinasabi na naiiwan sa laylayan ng lipunan, hindi siya lalong maiiwan (that those on the fringes of society will not be further left behind)," the Vice President said.
Robredo believes that putting a mechanism where everyone is part of the discussion and policy making is key to providing solutions for problems in the society such as employment and the economy.
Should she win the elections next year, she will push for a mechanism "where everyone from different sectors is heard."
"For example, one of the things that the labor sectors are appealing for when we talked to them, is to establish a uniform minimum wage on a national scale. What we have now is regional. So, there are a lot of issues to be discussed. But we always give the assurance that all will be given a voice. That they will take part directly in governance, they will take part directly in policy-making," Robredo said in a mix of Filipino and English.
In a separate press briefing, Robredo emphasized that instead of loans, conditional grants must be provided to small businesses in order to save jobs.
"Conditional grants must be provided to the small businesses to prevent shutdown but with a condition not to dismiss any of their employees. The government will give them funds to keep their business activity and employment going," the presidential aspirant said.