Juan Voice, Juan Hope on Labor Day

For several times, my sister had told me this, “Walang madaling trabaho” (There’s no easy job).

I believe her, as I’ve never felt so tired before, not until I started working.

So now that we are about to celebrate Labor Day on May 1, I wonder how many of us appreciate its real essence. When I was a student, I picture Labor Day as a day full of rallies and traffic, and placards stating “Makibaka! Huwag matakot!” are all over. Of course as I grew up, I’ve learned (and Googled) what this is all about. It has a deeper meaning, but is every Juan aware of it?

I walked around and asked the different faces of Juan Dela Cruz on their concept of Labor Day. What does this mean to our countrymen? What are their thoughts?

“Even if I work here in the streets, I just wish that this (job) would continue because it’s only good for 6 months,” Alona Vargas Saavedra, a DPWH-DSWD street sweeper uttered in Filipino.

She said she’s under the 4Ps program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) which coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highway (DPWH) to employ her as a street sweeper.

According to her, her job is a huge help since her husband is not a regular construction worker. In fact, her husband works as a scavenger whenever there’s no construction work.

“It’s harder to be jobless,” she emphasized, and added that her job provides for her family. She has six children. Saavedra wished to thank President Benigno Aquino III for continuing the 4Ps program. She shared that the 4Ps program also provides monthly allowance for the kids as well as budget for health check up.

It was around 2:00 pm when we were talking in the street. It was so hot, and yet I felt her sincerity and gladness. She may be in the street working in the afternoon, but that didn’t matter to her. She needs a job and she’s glad the government provided it for her.

“It is a time when Filipinos recognize the heroism of small workers and give importance to them,” described Lydia, a sidewalk vendor.

For Mark Hernie Anoya, a waiter, Labor Day is the time when many workers ask for wage increase. “There are many workers who go abroad like Mary Jane (Veloso). He for instance, worked as a waiter in Riyadh for two years. He is proud that many countries consider Filipino workers number 1 for being good and smart.

Anoya also wishes that there would be added benefits for the workers. “If we do have benefits, it’s just too little,” he said.

“I hope PNoy has a good news on May 1,” he remarked. For his fellow workers, meanwhile, he hopes they would not lose hope, since their families and kids depend on them.

“What’s Labor Day for you?” I asked Denmark Dimapilis. While he wishes for better salary and benefits, he calls on fellow workers to do their job well despite receiving a small amount.

Janitor Felipe Ballesteros Jr. cited that workers call for salary increase, since what they’re receiving are not enough to sustain a family. He wishes that workers receive what they deserve.

Labor Day means rest day for elevator operator, Rosebeth Bonafos. Jeff Japim, a jeepney driver, pictured Labor Day as “double pay if people would go to the office”.

“It’s holiday! (It’s no work with pay),” for Ma. Teresa Cruz, an employee at the SSS main office who longs for a salary increase.

“It’s a day when they (workers) could raise their issues to the government and air their sentiments,” Cruz said. She added that workers do wait for the wage increase announcement each Labor Day.

May 1 is a “red letter day” for the Philippine National Police (PNP). Police Chief Supt. Rene Ong, Deputy Director, Directorate for Police Community Relations in Camp Crame, noted that aside from holiday, it is also a day when there’s a lot of protest actions.

The PNP is preparing to deploy personnel, and had issued heightened alert where protest actions were staged in the past. “We’re not depriving workers of their freedom of expression, we just want peace and order,” he emphasized.

Ong cited that the PNP salutes workers, especially OFWs, for the sacrifices they take in order to give a good future to their families. Personally, Ong believes that Labor Day is an opportunity to give importance on the workers’ role in nation building.

“It’s an important day to recognize and honor Filipino workers,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma told the Philippines News Agency (PNA). He said the government continues to find ways to help the Filipino workers. “Just continue hard work,” he said.

For the youth, Coloma said they should study hard, as the government continuously finds opportunities for them.

Today, I covered an event organized by the Social Security System (SSS). As I walked through its hallway, I saw a queue leading to a “Salary Loan” window. I guess, this is an affirmation to the answers of the Juans I talked to.

Maybe it’s true that the battlecry of the workers continues, but at least, we’re hopeful. (PNA) LAM/MCCA/EDS