Multi-sectoral groups staged a protest rally at the Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila as the country marked the 159th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
According to the Manila Police District (MPD), around 800 individuals participated in the rally as of 9 a.m.
Among the groups that participated in the protest were the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), Kadamay, NNARA Youth, Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), and Anakbayan.
The protesters demanded for higher minimum wage, lower prices of commodities, an end to contractualization, and the suspension of excise taxes on fuel products.
"Hindi na halos magkasya yung mininum na antas ng sahod ngayon sapagkat yung P570 minimum wage sa Metro Manila, ang tunay na halaga na lang niyan ay P494 based sa 2018 wage levels (The minimum wage level is not nearly enough now because the P570 minimum wage in Metro Manila, the real value of that is P494 based on the 2018 wage levels)," said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog in an interview with DZMM on Tuesday.
He added that workers in the provinces are in a more difficult situation as the so-called cost of living has almost equalized, saying the minimum wage should at least be P1,133 a day for a family with five members.
"Hindi na katanggap-tanggap sa amin yung barya-baryang pagbibigay kasi dapat bilang lumilikha ng yaman ng ating bansa at lumilikha ng kasaysayan ng ating ekonomiya, mahalaga na dapat tumugon ang kasalukuyang gobyerno sa kahilingan ng mga manggagawa (It is no longer acceptable to us to receive a pittance because as someone who creates the wealth of our country and create the history of our economy, it is important that the current government should respond to the demands of the workers)," he added.
Members of the MPD are on standby to ensure an orderly demonstration.