the package of benefits unveiled by the President included the condonation of P12 billion [ without being pessimistic, I feel that we are just encouraging non-paying members to really neglect their obligations. Worst is to encourage current good paying/responsible members to not pay their obligations on time] in penalties and surcharges slapped by the Social Security System (SSS) and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) on about 10 million members who had been unable to repay their housing and salary loans.
Other benefits for workers announced by the President included:


• P3.2 billion in housing loans to be offered by Pag-Ibig at lower interest and longer repayment periods.[not everyone will enjoy this]


• P1.37 billion in loans to be provided by the Development Bank of the Philippines and Land Bank of the Philippines to employers’ and workers’ groups for the purchase of buses using cheap fuel, like compressed natural gas, for the use of employees. [not everyone will enjoy this]

• A government allocation of P1 billion from its energy conservation savings to purchase shuttle buses for its own employees.[not everyone will enjoy this]


• An allocation of P1.2 billion for the setting up of Procurement Services (PS) marts at government offices. The commissaries will offer food and housing items 7 to 20 percent cheaper compared to stores.[not everyone will enjoy this]


• Foregone government revenues of P1 billion from the income tax exemption of minimum wage earners.[not everyone will enjoy this]


• Government grant of training certificates/coupons amounting to P500 million for 10,000 people who would work in call centers.[not everyone will enjoy this]


• Allotment of P100 million for the rehabilitation of the Philippine General Hospital; scholarships totaling P60 million from GSIS; allocation of P40 million for the GSIS hospitalization support program, and P36 million for Philippine Health coverage for sacada (seasonal sugar worker) and other workers in the informal sector.[not everyone will enjoy this. too many scholarships but who knows if they freely give it]


An estimated P615 million in company savings arising from workdays saved because a strike was averted also went into the computation of the President’s P39.765-billion package of benefits for workers.

At the end, I still feel that there's no equality in terms of right of the labor. We, in the labor, are the main contributory factor why this government exist. We pay our taxes right more than the people at the business sector who seems find ways to hide their tax debt. I feel sorry that the Arroyo governance doesn't recognize the people at the labor properly. To add, she acts too proud in condemning the destabilizers who are voicing just the right of the Filipinos being neglected by this government. She is projecting that she is doing her task!!! (hope she does!!!)

they are trying to destabilize the country. what should she do, smile and face the other way? she should drop bombs on all the squatters area, that would solve a big big problem, besides most of the people rallying are from there. instead of looking for jobs and all...

I do hope that even for just a day or more you'll be just like them and understand how it feels like that the government neglects people in those areas.