Former Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay called on the national government on Wednesday, March 30, to hasten resolving pending petitions to increasse the minimum wage of workers as the prices of commodities and fuel continue to rise amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Binay said that Filipinos are still struggling to recover from the adverse economic effects caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the prolonged lockdowns that forced the economy to a halt for two years.
He also proposed to further increase income tax exemptions to benefit more working Filipinos, not just minimum wage earners, and explained that raising income tax exemptions will benefit the below-middle class and the middle class, which include office clerks, government employees, teachers, policemen, and call center agents.
“Tax savings will help more Filipinos cope with the economic uncertainties caused by the Ukraine conflict and the pandemic. It will also encourage consumer spending which is needed to lift the economy," Binay said.
The former vice president also said the government should sustain its cash and food aid for the poorest of the poor.
“Maraming eksperto ang nagsasabi na may kakayanan ang gobyerno ng magbigay ng mas mataas na ayuda sa ating mga mahihirap na kababayan. Kung kaya namang ibigay, dapat ibigay (A lot of experts are saying that the government has the capability to give larger aid to our marginalized citizens. If they really do have that capability, then they should immediately distribute it)," Binay said.
Russia, considered as the world's second largest distributor of oil, attacked Ukraine in February following the latter's supposed decision in joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The conflict's economic effects echoed throughout the world, causing oil prices to skyrocket to record breaking proportions, adversely affecting businesses and services relying on oil.
According to reports, as of March 29, at least 23,000 individuals died from the conflict and at least 10 million civilians have been displaced.