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He is one of the around 1,500 workers who became jobless after a banana exporter company in Bukidnon ceased operations this month.
Over and above the lack of health education, the financial strain brought by the high cost of antidiabetic medications made treatment compliance nearly impossible for her. As a result, her blood sugar levels became chronically uncontrolled, and by the age of 30, she was already put on insulin therapy. Maria was told to strictly adhere to this treatment regimen if she did not want her kidneys to fail. This significantly took a toll on both her mind and her already stretched pocket.
“The 60-day rice import ban is just for show. While the public is being made to believe that something is being done for the farmers, the Rice Liberalization Law, one of the root causes of the decline in farmers’ income and the rising price of rice, remains in effect. It must be immediately repealed."
"The Marcos Jr. administration is clinging to a failed and anti-farmer policy of rice importation. It is time to repeal the Rice Liberalization Law, break up the rice trading monopoly, and implement a genuine program for food self-sufficiency."
Joanna Concepcion, chairperson of Migrante International, said that the Filipino trafficking victims in Cambodia were able to come home because of the persistent efforts and constant follow-ups of their families with various government agencies. Concepcion criticized the government’s process of providing assistance to the victims and how it delayed their return to the Philippines.
“They said that it’s for flood mitigation, but why are they dredging the offshore area and not the shallow part of the Banaoang River instead? The ships are scaring the fish away. What’s worse, some of the island’s coast has already eroded."
“There are months when we catch nothing. But we keep fishing because we have no choice.”
“We’re not asking for much, just don’t take away the five meters that help us get home alive."
The Makabayan bloc emphasized the direct effect of privatization of public transport to the Filipino people as fees will increase.
From water, electricity, up to transportation, the government’s public-private partnership (PPP) projects continue to be “profit-driven,” which, according to multisectoral groups, is the culprit behind the increasing prices of social services and basic commodities.
"Public transportation should be efficient and inclusive, but the government’s focus on elite interests is evident in the displacement of HITODA drivers, impacting PUPians as well."
Residents said project contractors only gave them a few days notice to move out as an additional barricade is being put up at the site.
“They resigned from their work and decided to do full time in Move It. Now, where will they go?”
"Meralco power rates have risen by a net of four pesos per kilowatt-hour since 2020, outpacing inflation, but their franchise was renewed while unjust billing issues remain unresolved."
The NSMHW also found poverty as one of the causes that Filipino adults are unable to access mental, neurological, and substance abuse (MNS) disorders medications, along with the lack of awareness, treatment facilities, and trained professionals.
“After suffering from this kind of lowly treatment from COWD, we are hurtfully beginning to believe that we are really second-class residents.”
The daily income of small-scale fishers in Aparri and other coastal towns in Cagayan has drastically dropped—from an average of P7,000 (119 USD) to just P900 (15.3 USD).
“It was nerve-wracking, especially since it was our first time and it was inside the company. But once we were there, we had no choice but to be brave. We had to stand firm—no one would give up,” a Nexperia woman worker said.
“We are staging this strike so that our legitimate demands will be met. We are only looking for fair wages and benefits. Instead, [Nexperia] management has given us notices of termination.”
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