RENEE CARAIG – PASCO – Barkadahan representative. Contributed photo
The Barkadahan party list vowed to focus on helping generate job opportunities for Filipinos if it secures a seat in the House of Representatives.
The party list, which is joining this May 2022 elections, aims to work on promoting gainful work programs and community livelihood, beneficial work environment, equal opportunity, and just wages.
“In my heart I believe that no Filipino was ever destined to be poor. That rising from poverty stems from self-determination but no one has ever risen from the depths of poverty alone. There must be someone willing to champion their cause,” said their first congressional nominee Ren Pasco in her speech during a grand rally in Quezon City.
She said that livelihood, job and earnings security are critical issues that should be given attention to especially in these troubled times.
“‘Work and livelihood!’ In our sorties the past months, in our talks and work with our countrymen around the Philippines, we have realized that the biggest challenge faced by many Filipinos is the loss of jobs and their livelihood,” said Pasco.
Pasco stressed on their desire to give focus to skills-matching and livelihood programs that effectively mirror the needs of the respective communities. She added that Barkadahan also wishes to focus on joint programs with the Department of Labor and Employment for MSME or Micro Small Medium scale Enterprises to provide adequate support and give importance to local products.
In Congress, Barkadahan Party-List also wants to push earlier regularization for employees in both the public and private sector through an amendment to the Labor Code. The group also proposes support for expanded work from home for persons with disabilities or PWD in terms of gadgets and internet connectivity as a response to the changing work environment.
Pasco also stressed on the importance of laws needed to end discrimination in the workplace most especially in issues involving sexual orientation and gender identity or expression (SOGIE) and the establishment of a SOGIE desk in every company.
The fourth major platform presented during the rally was the desire to push laws that provide just wages for all employees whether private or public.
Contributed photo
One of the more concrete examples provided by Pasco was the abolition of the age-old provincial rates and to establish a national wage rate for all workers wherever they may be situated.
“Every story we have listened to, every tear drop we have witnessed, the hardship and desperation we have felt from our kabarkadas who continue to fight and face life’s challenges, will serve as our guide and inspiration in order to continue our Barkadahan,” she said.