President urged to convene summit on water crisis

The country’s largest labor group urged President Aquino to convene a National Summit, which will discuss solutions for national economic problems, particularly the imminent water shortage next summer.

In a statement, Trade Union Congress of Philippines (TUCP) Executive Director Luis Corral said other issues which should also be included in the proposed meeting would be the looming power shortage, public transportation woes, and the still significantly high unemployment rate in the country.

“Aquino should get down to the task at hand, creating decent jobs and squelching the deficit in power, water and mass transport,” Corral said.

TUCP issued the statement yesterday amid the apparent lack of government preparation for the imminent calamity.

“The high officialdom is playing deaf to the cries of the National Water and Resources Board (NWRB) that El Niño threatens our water supply for drinking purposes, agricultural use and electricity generation,” TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said.

Water concessionaires earlier warned they may resort to water rationing by next year as the levels in the Angat, which supplies the water in Metro Manila, is expected to further decline with the onset of the El Niño weather phenomenon before the end of 2014.

“The TUCP believes that all sectors of society will rally behind the President once he takes the cudgels for the real issues that plague the country today,” he said.

Corral said the proposed summit would yield better recommendations compared to some of his advisers from the organization, which are “proxy poor, the proxy peasant and the proxy marginalized” as well as those, who want to “lead the country from behind.”

“We appeal to the President not to be distracted by those who wish to waylay economic gains and not to be hijacked by those who wish to take advantage of him when too much of his political capital is being wasted in the legal equivalent of saloon brawls,” Corral said. - Manila Bulletin / Yahoo

55 Chinese nationals detained for lack of working permits

BUREAU of Immigration (BI) agents arrested on Tuesday 55 Chinese nationals believed to have been working without proper permits.

The Chinese nationals, who were nabbed in raids in Manila, Quezon City and Malabon through a tip by the BI's anonymous source, are allegedly working in construction sites and retail establishments illegally.

BI spokesperson Elaine Tan said Wednesday these raids are part of the bureau's ongoing campaign to curb the number of foreigners suspected of working in the Philippines without the necessary documents.

"All apprehended subjects are presently being investigated whether the initial information against them are true," said Tan, adding the arrested foreigners are currently at the bureau's holding center in Bicutan, Taguig City.

"If the foreign national fails to present any document to support his employment, he will be issued the necessary charge sheet and will eventually be deported," Tan said.

She said that the efforts to identify the "bad guys" among foreigners in the Philippines are a work in progress.

"Based on our records, the 'bad guys' only comprise one percent of the foreign national population in the country. However, as their numbers are very minimal, the chance of locating them at the point of entry is like finding a needle in a haystack," Tan said.

The BI is presently pushing for a law to allow the Advance Passenger Information System to provide identification of the "bad guys" before their aircraft lands in the Philippines.

It is also planning to coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to formulate measures in screening foreigners prior to issuance of entry visas to the Philippines.

Last week, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) asked the Senate and the House of Representatives to act on resolutions seeking to conduct an inquiry on the issue.

Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago called for a hearing as early as December last year while TUCP party-list Representative Democrito Mendoza filed a similar resolution last February.

"There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This undermines the job security in the country, as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.

He added that the presence of the illegal foreign workers has forced local job seekers to either seek employment abroad or just remain unemployed. (Sunnex) By Virgil B. Lopez

TUCP sees gloom for power users

Every household in Luzon may have to pay P1,600 to P1,800 more per month for their electricity once the energy crisis kicks in next year, the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) warned on Sunday.

If this projection holds true, the country’s residential electricity rates would be among the highest in the world, TUCP Executive Director Louie Corral said.

Corral lambasted Energy officials for their alleged lack of concrete and enforceable plans and strategies to avert a power crisis.

“We, and that means all of us, should know the merits and specifics of the recommended strategies, where the suggestions are coming from, and what the taxpayers and the consumers will end up paying for,” he said.

The TUCP and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) agree that there must be a comprehensive set of policies to combat the crisis while also working to bring power rates down.

Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla earlier admitted that a power crisis may be felt by March or May 2015, affecting 10.4 million households if the projected demand of 9,011 megawatts for next year is not met.

As a solution, Petilla is planning to rent expensive diesel-run power barges for two to three years.

The power barges will be run by the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) for 20 days and whenever there will be yellow alert status.

“Under this scheme, the generation charges from these plants, excluding transmission and distribution charges, will easily hit P15 to P18 per kwh. This will dramatically drive up household rates,” explained Alan Tanjusay, TUCP spokesman.

Also proposed was the use of the Interruptible Load Program (ILP), which is being pushed by some business lobbies so that there is no longer any need to resort to emergency powers for President Benigno Aquino 3rd. ILP allows mall owners to run their generators to provide electricity to their stores.

“These groups are now lobbying to bring up the current cost of 66 centavos per kwh, which the ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission[ allows the ILP participating companies to charge to all Meralco customers for running their own generators rather than getting their power from Meralco. Talks are rife that they also want commercial rates in the neighborhood of P15 to P18 per kwh. We remind all that what we face is not just a supply problem but a cost problem. If we are not competitive in Asean we will lose out. Jobs will be lost and no new jobs will be created,” Tanjusay said.

Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) groups the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

According to Tanjusay, higher electricity “will have a very painful effect on ordinary workers.”

“It will also have dire political consequences for the Aquino administration and derail the economic takeoff of the country,” he also warned. -by JING VILLAMENTE

Labor group kay Abaya: Mag-sorry ka sa MRT passengers

Ni Ellaine Dorothy S. Cal at Jean Fernando / Balita.net.ph

Hinamon ng Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) si Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Secretary Emilio Abaya na humingi ng dispensa sa mga biktima nang bumangga sa barrier ang tren ng Metro Rail Transit (MRT) sa Pasay-Taft station.

“We condemn the irresponsible statements made by Transportation and Communication Secretary Abaya,’ pahayag ni Alan Tanjusay, tagapagsalita ng Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP).

Tinukoy ni Tanjusay ang sinabi ni Abaya sa panayam sa radyo na hindi sapilitan ang pagsakay sa MRT.

“It is a personal decision. I won’t go out of my way to convince the people to ride. Kanya-kanyang desisyon naman ‘yan. Malayang bansa naman ito,” naging pahayag ni Abaya sa radio interview.

Itinuring ng TUCP ang pahayag ni Abaya na “iresponsable” kaugnay sa naganap na aksidente kung saan 36 pasahero ang nasugatan.

“What are you transportation and communication secretary for, Mr. Abaya? Such disrespect is an affront to thousands of working people who have no other choice but to ride in the MRT to and from work. Such statement is a slap-on-face of all the victims of the unfortunate mishap which happened days ago,” ayon kay Tanjusay.

Aniya, ipinahihiwatig umano ni Abaya na malayang makasasakay sa ibang pampublikong sasakyan ang mga biyehero kung nangangamba sila sa kanilang kaligtasan.

Itinuring ni Tanjusay ang iniasta ni Abaya bilang insulto sa daan libong nagsisiksikan sa MRT araw-araw.

“Mr. Secretary, did you or are you, as the man in charge of the mass transportation in the country and as a public servant, gave the public, the MRT riders a choice? Kung meron bang ibang matinong mass transport na nagawa mo na bilang DOTC secretary, palagay mo pipila pa ba sila at sasakay pa ba sila sa delikado, siksikan, mabaho at peligrosong MRT train?” tanong ni Tanjusay.

Samantala, posibleng maharap sa kasong kriminal ang control center supervisor ng MRT 3 matapos makapagbigay ng kani-kanilang salaysay ang dalawang train operator hinggil sa insidente.

Ayon kay Chief Supt. Angelito de Juan, hepe ng Pasay City Police-Investigation Unit, pinadalhan na nila ng liham si Joey Diokno, control center supervisor ng MRT 3, upang magbigay linaw sa trahedya.

“Halos parehas ang ibinigay na statement ng dalawang operators kung paano ang kanilang gagawin na itoy base sa kautusan ni Diokno bago maganap ang insidente,” pahayag ni De Juan.

Pahayag ni Abaya sa MRT riders kinondena ng TUCP

KINONDENA ng Trade Union Congress of the Philippines ( TUCP), pinakamalaking labor group sa bansa, ang pahayag ni Communication Secretary Emilio Abaya ukol sa mga biktima ng aksidente ng MRT.

“We condemn the irresponsible statements made by Transportation and Communication Secretary Abaya over an interview with Radyo Inquirer the other day. He said that “riding (MRT) is a personal decision. I won’t go out of my way to convince the people to ride. Kanya-kanyang desisyon naman ’yan. Malayang bansa naman ito,” sabi ni TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay.

“What are you transportation and communication secretary for, Mr. Abaya? Such disrespect is an affront to thousands of working people who have no other choice but to ride in the MRT to and from work. Such statement is a slap-on-face of all the victims of the unfortunate mishap which happened days ago. In effect the secretary of transportation is telling the MRT victims: “Mag-sorry kayo sa sarili n’yo kung nabalian kayo o nalamog ka matapos tumilapon ang sinasakyan ninyong tren, malaya ka at choice mo yang sumakay ng MRT. Huwag mong sisihin ang gobyerno,” aniya.

Imbes na tiyakin ang kaligtasan, sinabi ni Tanjusay taliwas ang pahayag ni Abaya at nakaiinsulto sa libu-libong MRT rider na dahil sa wala silang mapagpipilian, kailangang pumila sila halos kilometrong pilahan at pagtiisan ang pulusyon upang makabili ng tiket para makarating sa kanilang paroroonan o pinapasukang trabaho.

“Mr. Secretary, did you or are you, as the man in charge of the mass transportation in the country and as a public servant, gave the public, the MRT riders a choice? Kung meron bang ibang matinong mass transport na nagawa mo na bilang DOTC secretary, palagay mo pipila pa ba sila at sasakay pa ba sila sa delikado, siksikan, mabaho at peligrosong MRT train? Obviously none. We, therefore, in behalf of the millions of riding Filipino public, demand that Mr. Abaya retract these statements and apologize in public,” Tanjusay said. - Jun Icban Legaspi/ Journal Online

TUCP: Probe foreign workers in PH

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is looking to curb the rising number of foreigners working in the country without government permits, claiming that this negatively impacts local industries and the employment situation of Filipinos.

The TUCP said the Senate and the House of Representatives must probe into this issue and come up with measures to address it.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested 50 Chinese, one British, and one Australian employed at the construction of a coal-fired plant in Davao City last week for working without required Alien Employment Permits.

The BI also deported last year more than 200 foreign workers for the same reason.

TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay pointed out that a Congress investigation would benefit not only local workers but migrant workers as well, since it would ensure better working conditions for them. – Solar News Online

Probe sought on surging number of foreign workers

MANILA, Philippines - The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) yesterday called on Congress to investigate the surging number of Chinese and other foreigners allegedly working illegally in the country.

TUCP said the Senate and the House of Representatives must conduct a probe and come up with measures to curb the rising number of foreigners working in the country without government permits because this has adverse implications on local industries and in the employment situation of Filipinos.

Under the law, foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines are required to apply for an Alien Employment Permit.

But last week, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested 50 Chinese, one British and one Australian employed at the construction of a coal-fired plant in Davao City for working without permits, the TUCP reported.

The BI also deported last year more than 200 foreign workers employed at construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces, again for working without permits, the labor group added.

“There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This further undermines the job security in the country as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland,” TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay pointed out.

TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza earlier filed House Resolution 974, which seeks to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on illegal foreign workers in the country.

The investigation of Congress, Tanjusay noted, would benefit not only local workers but migrant workers as well, since it would ensure better working conditions for them.

Currently, illegal migrant workers are not covered by the law and therefore vulnerable to violation and exploitation of their basic rights.

Tanjusay also clarified that the TUCP is not against the entry of foreign workers in the country, but of its adverse impact on employment of Filipino workers, who leave the country to work abroad simply because there are no available jobs for them here.

- By Mayen Jaymalin (The Philippine Star)

TUCP seeks probe of foreigners working in PHL without permits

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Wednesday called for a thorough investigation on the entry of foreigners who are working in the country without government permits.

The group issued the call following the arrest of 52 more foreign workers allegedly working without valid working permits in Davao City last week.

In a statement, TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said the arrest of the 42 foreigners in Davao City is proof that “there is a clear, continuing and growing violation” of the country’s laws.

The increasing incidence of migrants working in the country without government working permits and without fulfilling other requirements for alien workers has very serious adverse implications not only in the local construction industry, fishing, mining and other industries, but also in the current employment and underemployment situation in the country, he said.

Such trend, Tanjusay said, undermines the job security in the country, as these foreign workers compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in the country.

For not having valid working permits, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) rounded up last week 50 Chinese, a Briton and an Australian working in the construction of coal-fired power plant Therma South Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp.

There is also a need to investigate Aboitiz Power Corp. on how was it able to hire the foreigners amid the existence of the law, Tanjusay said. He said the foreigners must go through the due process legally mandated by the laws.

Under Department Order 12 (Series of 2001), known as the Omnibus Guidelines for the Issuance of Employment Permits of the Department of Labor and Employment, all foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines are required to apply for an Alien Employment Permit.

In December last year the BI detained and deported more than 200 foreign workers working in construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces after they were discovered to have without working permits.

Sen. Miriam-Defensor Santiago filed Senate Resolution 288 in December 2013 and Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza of TUCP filed House Resolution 974 on February 2014 to conduct an inquiry “in aid of legislation” on the matter but to no avail.

According to TUCP, Philippine unemployment rates have remained static on the average of 7 percent the past years. According to the April 2014 Labor Force Survey, the unemployment rate was at 7.0 percent or 2.924 million of the total labor force of 38,172,006, excluding the Typhoon Yolanda-stricken areas while 18.2 percent or seven million were underemployed, and about 36.9 percent or 1.078 million of the unemployed are were college undergraduates and graduates.

The World Bank in its Philippine Development Report (PDR) released in September 2013, estimates that about 10 million good jobs are needed to be generated per year which includes jobs for about three million people who are unemployed and seven million that are underemployed, and that the government also needs to create employment for another 1.15 million new entrants to the labor force every year from 2013 to 2016.

On the average, the government can only generate about 240,000 new employment opportunities annually which leave most job-seekers with no choice but to either seek employment abroad, remain unemployed, go back to school, or rely on financial support from employed family members for the time being, Tanjusay added.

- by Jonathan L. Mayuga, BusinessMirror

TUCP calls for probe on presence of illegal foreign workers

THE Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is calling on Congress to immediately conduct legislative inquiries on the continued presence of foreigners illegally employed in the country.

The labor group said there is already a need for Congress to intercede in the issue since many workers are affected by their presence.

"We urge the Senate and the House of Representatives to act on their pending resolutions calling for a probe in aid of legislation on the matter," said TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay in a statement.

He noted how Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and TUCP party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza filed Senate Resolution 288 in December 2013 and House Resolution 974 on February 2014, respectively, both calling for an inquiry on the controversy.

However, Tanjusay noted that no hearing was called by either chamber of Congress since then.

The call comes after several foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, were arrested in Davao City after being found working without valid working permits last month.

Back in December 2013, more than 200 foreign workers employed in construction sites in Bataan and Batangas were also arrested and deported after they were discovered to have without working permit.

Tanjusay said it is unacceptable that domestic laws continue to be violated with the presence of foreigners allegedly working without valid working permits.

"There is indeed a clear, continuing and growing violation of our domestic laws. This undermines the job security in the country, as they compete with the already limited jobs generated for the Filipinos in our homeland," said Tanjusay.

Tanjusay said the presence of the illegal foreign workers ultimately forces local job seekers with no choice but to either seek employment abroad or just remain unemployed.

"We clearly reiterate that TUCP is not against the entry of foreign workers in the country, but of the adverse impact on our very own workers, who are being deprived of potential employment and livelihood opportunities," Tanjusay said.

To note, one of the requirements in getting an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is the determination of the Labor Secretary that there is no Filipino national who is competent, able and willing to do the job for which the services of the applicant is desired. (HDT/Sunnex)

TUCP urges Congress to probe rising number of illegal foreign workers in PH

MANILA, Phlippines -- A labor group on Wednesday urged Congress to look into what it called the increasing number of foreigners working in the country without working permits.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines’ call came following the of 52 more foreign workers allegedly working without valid permits in Davao City last week.

“The increasing incidence of migrants working in the country without necessary government working permits and without fulfilling other requirements for alien workers has very serious adverse implications not only in the local construction industry, fishing, mining and other industries, but also in the current employment and underemployment situation in the country," TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said in a statement.

The Bureau of Immigration in Davao rounded up 50 Chinese, one British and one Australian working on the construction of the coal-fired power plant of Therma South Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation.

TUCP also called for the investigation into how Aboitiz Power hired the foreigners despite the lack of work permits.

In December last year, the BI detained and deported more than 200 foreign workers working without permits at construction sites in Bataan and Batangas provinces.

While stressing that the TUCP is not against foreign workers in the country, Tanjusay said those without valid permits are vulnerable to abuse.

“They are susceptible to being abused for reasons such as their lack of capacity to speak and understand the Filipino language and other exploitative working conditions such as unjust compensation given to them. They should enjoy the freedom from this worst form of modern-day slavery,” he said.

Senator Miriam-Defensor Santiago and TUCP party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza have filed resolutions for inquiries into the matter.

Department Order No. 12 (Series of 2001) known as the Omnibus Guidelines for the Issuance of Employment Permits of the Department of Labor and Employment requires all foreigners seeking employment to apply for an Alien Employment Permit. - By: Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon.com

TUCP, Ecop: Reduced workweek to backfire

Workers and employers are one in opposing a proposal for a four-day work week to conserve electricity in offices and factories.

Both the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines said the proposal put forth by the Energy department would backfire and erode productivity.

The Department of Energy’s failure to have a policy on power security and competitive rates led to this crisis, said Louie Corral, TUCP executive director. “How dare it now tries to impose a labor policy. Why will workers sacrificed to answer for the policy failure and lack of forward planning of the Department of Energy? When did workers become the safety net to ensure high profits for power generation and Meralco?”

Ecop president Edgardo Lacson, for his part,  said that to cut working days to four a week would blunt the country’s competitive edge in the global workplace.

“While the rest of the world continuously work from five to six days a week, it will  be expected that the country will further slide down in the competitiveness ladder,” Lacson said.

Both groups said the compressed workweek would tell on the health of the workers whose efficiency and productivity would suffer due to fatigue caused by the stressful 2-hour extension for 4 nights.

The Philippines bears highest cost of electricity in Asia and the Filipino family in general has exhausted all means to cut cost, Corral said. “Have they lost all decency? Is this their idea of the social contract of our government with its people? Their cavalier treatment of the SONA directive to consult and their easy conclusion of who must pay the price speak volume about what we can expect from the both of you during the DOE leadership,” he added.

He said that while many Filipinos  are sacrificing because of the power crisis, Petilla apparently does not seem to share this sentiment.

‘Instead of time-bound and transparent multi-sectoral consultations, Petilla is very quick to dump the burden on worker while he insensitively undertook negotiations for expensive power barge rentals. Petilla apparently do not understand correct sequencing,’ he said

For his part, TUCP spokesperson Alan Tanjusay said that a compressed  week for daily wage earners would mean one day less of wages.

Tanjusay reiterated the call TUCP made with the Nagkaisa labor coalition in April to President Aquino to convene a multi-agency, multi-sectoral task force to generate a national response and work towards solutions-- a clear policy on power supply, price and a coherent strategy out of the crisis.

He said the DOE failed the consumers by not applying a full-options approach which would have nipped the crisis in the bud or minimized its impact.

The DOE, he said, rather contently sleepwalks from crisis-to-crisis applying one band-aid solution after the other but what they really did was surrender the real power policy making to Meralco and to the generation sector actors-- neither wants a secure power supply or a competitive rate. - By Vito Barcelo

TUCP thumbs down 4-day workweek plan

by JING VILLAMENTE

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has shot down the four-day workweek proposal by Energy Undersecretary Jose Layug Jr. as a means to conserve energy.

TUCP Executive Director Louie Corral on Thursday said the proposal highlighted the Department of Energy’s lack of policy on power security and competitive rates.

“Why will workers be sacrificed to answer for the policy failure and lack of forward planning by the Department of Energy? When did workers become the safety net to assure high profits for power generation and Meralco?” Corral added, referring to the Manila Electric Co., the country’s biggest power distributor.

“In this power crisis, all must bear the burden and all must sacrifice but Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla apparently does not seem to share this sentiment,” he said.

Corral accused Petilla of “dumping” the burden on workers while pushing for “expensive power barge rentals” to ease the energy shortage.

TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said a compressed four-day workweek would be stressful for workers.

Tanjusay reiterated the group’s call for President Benigno Aquino 3rd to convene a multi-agency, multi-sectoral task force to generate a national response and a clear policy on power supply, price and a coherent strategy to address the looming power crisis.

TUCP urges Petilla to hold dialogue on power problem

 Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla

MANILA, Philippines - The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Monday called on Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla to hold consultations with stakeholders and immediately establish policies and plans to address the looming power crisis.

The TUCP made the call after President Benigno Aquino III, during his 5th State of the Nation Address, instructed Petilla to schedule time-bound consultations.

Without the consultation, the TUCP said that various businessmen are taking advantage of the current power situation by offering expensive sources of electricity.

“Power policy is de facto being set by the independent power generation sector and Meralco. They are now taking advantage of the absolute lack of leadership of Petilla as one group is peddling very expensive solar, another trying to lease power barges to the government and Meralco is shuffling around maintenance schedules to prevent the crisis,” TUCP executive director Louie Corral said.

TUCP has also appealed to Aquino to convene a multi-agency, multi-sectoral committee to draw up a consensus on what policy the government should implement on power security and competitive rates.

“Only the president can restore investor and consumer confidence. Petilla preens with confidence but his explanation sounds curiously fraudulent," Corral said.

- By Dennis Carcamo (philstar.com)

KRISIS DAW O | So where is the energy plan? Labor group asks energychief Petilla

 PHOTO BY BERNARD TESTA

MANILA – The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has expressed alarm that Energy Secretary Jericho Petilla still has not set up the time-bound and transparent consultation that President Aquino has instructed him to do at last week’s SONA to establish policies and plans to address the power crisis.

In a related development, a partylist lawmaker on Monday questioned the forecast of the Department of Energy (DoE) of a looming power crisis that could result in rotating brownouts in Luzon in the summer months next year.

“Power policy is de facto being set by the independent power generation sector and Meralco. They are now taking advantage of the absolute lack of leadership of Petilla as one group is peddling very expensive solar, another trying to lease power barges to the government, and Meralco is shuffling around maintenance schedules to prevent the crisis,” said Louie Corral, TUCP executive director, in a news release.

TUCP appealed to Aquino to convene a multi-agency, multi-sectoral committee to draw up a consensus on what policy we will have on power security and competitive rates.

“Only the president can restore investor and consumer confidence. Petilla preens with confidence but his explanation sounds curiously fraudulent.”

Corral reminded Petilla that the power crisis is not just due to a power deficit but to power rates among the highest in the world.

“Our sky-high power rates have made us regionally uncompetitive in the ASEAN, and now we have all these salesmen of expensive power lobbying on the respective merits of their products,” Corral said.

He empasized that multi-sectoral consensus is key if the people will be made to sacrifice during the crisis.

“We gently remind the DOE secretary that it will be the Filipino taxpayer and the Filipino consumer who will end up footing the bill. If expensive solutions are not backed up by a modicum of government savvy and intervention, we will end precisely where we are now: at the mercy of the independent power producers.”

Is the power crisis real?

Bayan Muna partylist Representative Neri Colmenares said that based on DoE figures as of 2013, the installed capacity for Luzon grid was 12,790 MW and dependable capacity was 11,469 MW. He added that the peak demand for the grid was only 8,700 MW, and Meralco’s share was 6,121 MW.

“So if you deduct dependable capacity from peak demand, there should have been allowance for reserves amounting to 2,700MW. This is more than the 400 MW deficit that (Energy) Secretary (Jericho) Petilla claims. Based on the DoE figures itself, even in a tight supply condition, there should be more than enough supply,” Colmenares said.

“As I see it and based on the DoE data itself power supply is not a problem and there is no need for emergency powers if the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) and DOE would get their acts together. The Aquino administration should stop crying wolf and once again try to find an excuse for a power rate hike,” Colmenares added.

Petilla has been pushing Congress to grant President Benigno Aquino III emergency powers to allow him to deal with the looming crisis.

Colmenares said that if the DoE's reference on plant capacities were accurate, then it should have been addressed a long time ago through the Power Development Plan.

“Is it really supply that is a problem or there are other factors that prevent some capacities from being dispatched, like the supposed collusion between power industry players last year? Up till now the ERC has yet to submit their investigation on the matter,” he said.

The lawmaker also noted that one unit of the 650-MW Malaya plant -- 300 MW capacity -- was down.

"When can the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) bring it back to operation so it can contribute to 2015 summer supply?” he said.

- By: Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon.com

TUCP supports more women in male-dominated jobs

MANILA, Philippines - Labor group Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Thursday welcomed the employment of more Filipina women in jobs that used to be dominated by men.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) reported that last year, 53 percent of the 1,765,757 technical-vocational graduates were women — many of them are trained as welders and automotive mechanics.

“More Filipina women nowadays are breaking barriers by taking on jobs that once identified only with men. There are now many women employed as welders. Women working as jeepney, taxi, tricycle or bus drivers are also growing.

“I think our traditional frame of mind should begin to accepting changes such as these as we continue to honor our Filipina women for their invaluable contribution to the family and for their positive impacts they have made in our society,” Gerard Seno, executive vice president of the Associated Labor Unions-TUCP said.

Seno said there is a need to craft or improve existing workplace and training policies in government and in private sectors in anticipation of the influx of more women into the construction sector and other male dominated jobs including heavy equipment operators.

He lauded the recent effort of TESDA director general Joel Villanueva and Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano for facilitating the training of 4,200 skilled female workers and possible hiring for Dubai until 2016 with specialization in electrical installation and maintenance, plumbing, refrigeration, air-conditioning and automotive mechanic.

Based on the Labor Force Survey of the National Statistics Office in October last year, 14.8-million women are employed out of the total 15.7 million female labor force.

In the same period in 2011, of the 15.6-million women labor force, 14.6 million of them are employed. There are more than an estimated 400,000 female entrants every year.

Most women workers are found traditionally employed in wholesale and retail trade, agriculture, hunting and forestry, manufacturing. They are also into service sector such as health and social work, education, hotels and restaurants, and financial remediation. - Dennis Carcamo / PhilStar

TUCP thumbs down SONA 2014

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has expressed dismay over President Benigno Aquino III’s declarations during his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, particularly on matters pertaining to contractualization and low wage.

Early into his national report, the President regaled the nation about the accomplishments of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority or TESDA which was a beneficiary of P1.6 billion funds from the government’s Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Aquino said under TESDA’s training for work scholarship program, the government was able to help 223,165 TESDA students. From over 200,000 beneficiaries, 66 percent or 146,731 finished their courses and are now employed. TESDA is continuing to help the rest look for jobs.

The TUCP failed to hear updates on other labor issues. Instead of the TESDA “success story”, the group was hoping to know what the President is doing to address contractualization, low salary rates, unemployment and underemployment, and the effect of power crisis to labor and industry.

TUCP, a major labor group in the country, plans to ask for P135 salary increase by September. - Manila Bulletin

P89 wage hike in Northern Mindanao pushed

THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Northern Mindanao (RTWPB-10) has completed the first round of deliberations on the actual rate of minimum wage increase for workers in the region.

Although initial results of the review were not disclosed yet, labor groups are hopeful the wage board will support the daily minimum wage increase petition.

The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) in the region formally sought an P89 daily wage increase on July 16, 2014.

If approved, the daily minimum wage in the region will become P395 for agricultural and non-agricultural workers.

Lawyer Gretchen Lamayon, RTWPB-10 chief information officer, told Sun*Star Cagayan de Oro Wednesday the final results of the petition will be revealed "sooner" and subjected to discussion from among different sectors.

The discussion will be held with the presence of the heads of the region's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), two representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (Dole), and two representatives from the private sector.

In a petition passed to the RTWPB-10, the ALU-TUCP justified the requested increase as beneficial to the working population amid the increasing cost of standard of living.

"The P89 daily increase is essential if workers are to cope with the increasing prices of commodities and cost of living, if they are to meet the basic needs of their families, even if only partial, and if the country gives meaning and substance to the policy of equitable distribution of income and wealth. The increase, small as it is, has been overtaken by increases in power and water rates, in health and education costs, the prices of oil and its products, LPG, and basic goods and services," the petition read.

"Prices of goods and services in the following months are also expected to rise by at least 5 percent which would require an additional P21.42 adjustment in wages considering the increasing prices of goods and services especially power rates because of the current power shortage in Mindanao. Also, the daily take home pay of wage earners are lower due to legally mandated deductions such as SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-Ibig contributions and income tax," it added.

Wildon Barros, Kilusang Mayo Uno-Northern Mindanao chairperson, told this paper that although they are pushing for the P125 minimum wage across the board since last year, they will also support ALU-TUCP's endeavor.

"We still want the RTWPB to say yes to this because it is for the benefit of our workers at the end of the day," Barros said by phone.

May 15 last year, the RTWPB-10 approved the latest P306 wage increase per day from P286 for the wage earners in northern Mindanao. - Sun Star