The national government was urged to “immediately address” the worsening economic crisis by providing aid to Filipinos in need.
Gabriela, an alliance of Filipino women, called on President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to “act immediately” in the time of rising inflation, big-time oil-price hikes, soaring prices of basic commodities, and worsening economic crisis.
“Hinahamon natin si Pangulong Marcos Jr., kung talagang great concern niya ang implasyon, bigyan niya ng kaunting alwan ang mga mamamayan bago manlang sumapit ang pasko (We are challenging President Marcos Jr. If his great concern is really inflation, he should give the people a little relief before Christmas),” said Gabriela Secretary General Clarice Palce on Sunday, Nov. 13.
Palce, in a press statement, said the effects of inflation continue to weigh down Filipinos, especially the marginalized sectors.
In order to address this problem, Gabriela said the Marcos administration should certify wage and salary bills in Congress as urgent, “enact” the National Minimum Wage Bill, and temporarily scrap excise tax and value added tax (VAT) on basic commodities.
“Nababahala kami sa mas matindi pang krisis na kakaharapin natin sa mga susunod na taon. Ang daming Pilipinong walang trabaho kakarampot ang sahod at kita habang patuloy ang pagsirit ng presyo (We are concerned about the extent of crisis that we will face in the coming years. Many Filipinos are unemployed, wages and income are insufficient while the price of basic goods continues to soar),” Palce lamented.