Labor remains one of the most crucial sectors in our country, as countless families depend on it as their source of income to meet daily needs. However, in the recent results released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), more than two million Filipinos are still unemployed despite a 4.4 percent decrease in the unemployment rate.

It saddens me as a lawmaker to think about how many families are struggling to make ends meet and how they can put food on the table every day.

That is why, amid these figures that help us determine how many of our kababayans lack jobs, we must view this beyond the numbers, as these represent real lives facing real challenges. We must work together to find concrete and doable measures to address the realities faced by job seekers by offering more jobs for all. We should not only advocate temporary solutions but also stable employment that allows them to secure their daily necessities.

In response to these challenges, in the 20th Congress, we are pushing for several proposals aimed at easing the pressure on working families and those still searching for employment.

We filed Senate Bill 175, which, if passed, mandates a P100 daily minimum wage increase nationwide. We need to find a response to the continuing impact of inflation and rising living costs, which have eroded the purchasing power of workers’ salaries.

Another is SBN 174, or the proposed Indigent Jobseekers Assistance Bill, which we filed to provide subsidies for employment-related expenses, such as transportation, documentation and other basic requirements during the job application process.

Together, let us promote inclusivity by creating better job opportunities for everyone — ones that are sustainable.

Meanwhile, last week, we visited various fire-affected families for three consecutive days. On 21 January, I personally went to Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City, to aid a total of 193 fire victims. On 22 January, I went to Barangay NBBS, Navotas City, to deliver assistance to 40 beneficiaries. Finally, in Barangay 607, Sta. Mesa, Manila, we aided 172 fire victims on 23 January.

Our team also extended its efforts at the grassroots by sending immediate aid to fire victims in Cebu City; Biñan City, Laguna; and Davao City.

My team likewise attended the inauguration of the Super Health Center in Brgy. Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City. We also provided assistance to some indigents in Macabebe, Pampanga. Furthermore, we provided aid to earthquake victims in San Isidro and Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.

As a lawmaker, I will do my best to improve the lives of our kababayans dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.