In a speech before the Philippine Metalworkers’ Alliance on Labor Day, Sen. Risa Hontiveros called on the government to extend more social services to better protect Filipinos from the impacts of the energy crisis sparked by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Speaking in Lipa City, Batangas, Hontiveros stressed that beyond wage hikes, the government must provide better services to the public to ease the economic burden on all Filipinos.

“Magkukulang at magkukulang ang sahod ng mga manggagawa kahit ilang beses pa iyan taasan kung kasabay nito ang pagtaas rin ng presyo ng pagkain at pamasahe,” Hontiveros said.

She said transferring funds to the Department of Transportation for the PUV service contracting program is one of the many policies the government must adopt to cushion the blow of the energy crisis, particularly for drivers and commuters.

“Mayroong P30 billion ang DSWD para sa AICS na sa tingin ko ay dapat ibigay na lang sa DOTr para sa service contracting. Sa ganitong paraan, makakasiguro ang mga driver ng mga bus at jeep na may kikitain sila at magtutuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pamamasada,” Hontiveros said.

She added, “Noong Marso ko pa sinulatan ang DBM para malaman kung paano pwedeng ilipat ang pondo para sa AICS patungo sa service contracting. Nakakadismaya nga lang na hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako nakatanggap ng sagot mula sa kanila.”

Hontiveros is also working to get a P52.8-billion supplemental budget passed which includes a P12-billion subsidy for PUV drivers, Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) drivers, and delivery riders that would partly fund an expanded service contracting program.

Beyond policies to address the people’s immediate financial needs, Hontiveros said the government must transition into a “service provider” instead of a “crisis manager” by working to increase the social wage — the benefits, services, and public goods from the government that improve living standards.

“Pangmatagalan dapat ang ginhawang binibigay ng gobyerno sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na sa ating mga manggagawa. Ibig sabihin, kinakailangan ng malawakang reporma para mapunan ang kakulangan sa pagkain, transportasyon, at serbisyo sa tao,” Hontiveros said.

She rallied workers to lead the push for better social services from the government, stressing their critical role in challenging and reshaping the system.

“Ang mga unyon ay hindi lang lumalaban, kundi dapat ay namumuno rin. Ang mga kumpanya ay dapat magturo at hindi lang maghabol ng kita. At ang gobyerno ay hindi dapat pinanonood lang ang paghihirap ng taumbayan sa gitna ng krisis, kundi nagbibigay ginhawa para sa lahat,” Hontiveros said.

An advocate for workers’ rights even when she was still in school, Hontiveros assured that she will continue to push for policies that will uplift the lives of Filipinos.

“Huwag tayong mawawalan ng pag-asa. Dahil habang patuloy tayong magkakasama, makakamtan natin ang magandang kinabukasan,” Hontiveros said. “Hindi ko kayo iiwan.”