The Kabataan Partylist on Wednesday, November 30 joined calls for a general wage increase, lower prices of basic commodities, and further economic assistance for the toiling majority.
In a statement, Rep. Raoul Manuel said
the young labor force are the lifeblood of the country and thus, deserve better and fair working conditions.
"Mahalaga na may oportunidad sa disenteng trabaho at sahod ang mga kabataan upang mahikayat silang ipaglingkod ang talento at husay nila sa pangangailangan at pag-unlad ng bayan (It's very important to ensure that our youth have an opportunity for a decent job and sufficient salary so we can encourage them to serve and use their talent for the progress of our nation)," Manuel said in a statement.
"Panawagan natin sa Malacañang na maglabas ng Executive Order para sa umento sa sahod at i-certify bilang urgent ang mga katumbas na panukalang batas para dito (We call on Malacañang to release an executive ordee certifying a wage increase and other similar measures)," he stressed.
At this point, Manuel said moves to revive the mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) program would only impose a heavier financial burden to workers' families.
"Instead of rushing the revival of Mandatory ROTC which is set to impose heavier economic burden on workers' families and eat away funds for economic aid, pagpokusan natin ang pagpasa ng mga batas na magsusulong ng kabuhayan at pagbangon ng bansa sa pandemya (let's focus on laws that will promote livelihood and economic recovery from the pandemic)," he stressed.
The Senate Sub-Committee on Technical and Higher Education had earlier confirmed that the measure seeking to reinstitute a two-year mandatory ROTC program has gained headway.
Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said the bill may be ready for approval on the first quarter of 2023.