With the current economic challenges our country is facing, from rising prices of basic goods and transportation costs to still-high oil and gasoline costs, the ordinary Filipino remains among the most affected. These are hardworking people who wake up every day to earn a living, provide for their families and simply make ends meet. I witness this firsthand every time I visit communities across the country.

As public servants, we have a responsibility to enact policies and legislation that can make a meaningful difference in their lives and provide greater opportunities for their families.

That is why we give our full support as authors and co-sponsors of the Senate resolution adopted on 5 August, backing the Department of Labor and Employment, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and workers affected by the temporary restraining order on the P85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

Just last month, the Philippines was officially recognized by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income country. This is a significant milestone that reflects our country’s growing national income.

Yet, despite our economic classification having improved, we must not lose sight of the reality on the ground. More than half of Filipino families, or 52 percent, still consider themselves poor, according to a Social Weather Stations survey. The difference and irony remind us that economic progress should not be measured solely by statistics and that the true measure of progress is whether ordinary Filipinos actually feel its benefits or effects in their daily lives.

This improved income classification will mean little to our kababayan workers if their wages remain insufficient to keep up with the rising cost of living unless we create initiatives and provide secure jobs for all. It is heartbreaking to see minimum-wage earners barely take home their salary because of the rampant increase in basic goods and services.

The temporary restraining order (TRO) against the P85 wage adjustment has a big and direct impact on thousands of construction workers, factory personnel, cashiers, security guards, janitors and other employees whose households rely heavily on their daily earnings.

During the plenary session of the Senate, we also urged the courts to consider Article 126 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act 6727, which provides that no preliminary or permanent injunction or TRO may be issued against proceedings before the NWPC or the regional wage boards. In fact, the suspended P85 increase falls below the nationwide P100 adjustment we have been pushing for in Congress.

To recall, in 2025, we filed Senate Bill 175, which seeks to provide a P100 across-the-board increase in the daily minimum wage of private-sector workers nationwide as a response to inflation and the rising cost of living.

I believe, along with many Filipinos, that a wage increase is already long overdue, and I hope that we will expedite this matter as the rising cost of our basic goods does not end. As public officials, our responsibility does not end with Metro Manila. We must also continue working toward better wages for workers in every region of the country, while also supporting small businesses and other sectors that help keep our economy moving.

We hope that, through sound policies and genuine cooperation, we can build an economy where no Filipino is left behind and where we can all move forward together.

On 6 August, we personally visited Barangay Kapitolyo in Pasig City, together with Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski, Councilor Eric Gonzales, Barangay Captain Alex Torres and other local officials, to visit and assist families affected by the fire. Around 378 beneficiaries received assistance to help address their immediate needs.

After this, we also attended the Charter Day anniversary of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), held at Seda Vertis North in Quezon City, where we delivered a message to the officials, employees and members of the cooperative sector. We were joined by officials led by CDA Undersecretary Alexander Raquepo and COOP-NATCO Partylist Rep. Felimon Espares.

Meanwhile, last week, our Malasakit Team also extended additional assistance to our fellow Filipinos in need. Immediate assistance was provided to fire victims in Pasay City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Cebu City; and Baclayon, Bohol.

Flash flood victims in Parang and General Salipada K. Pendatun, Maguindanao del Sur, and Sultan Mastura, Maguindanao del Norte, were also given assistance.

Our Malasakit Team also extended assistance to the bereaved family of Aron Ontong, the student from Las Piñas City who was stabbed by his classmate. We stand with his loved ones during this difficult time. I believe that every Filipino deserves to live with peace of mind.

We were also represented by our Malasakit Team at the Liga ng mga Barangay Lipa City, Batangas Chapter Congress held in Cordova, Cebu.

Our Malasakit Team also extended support to the graduates of technical-vocational scholarship programs in Santo Tomas, Batangas.

As your Mr. Malasakit, I will continue to be of service to every Filipino sa abot ng aking makakaya dahil bisyo ko ang magserbisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.