MANILA, Philippines — As the country observes National Heroes' Day, Sen. Loren Legarda on Monday called for stronger implementation of laws protecting workers and communities, as well as the passage of pending measures for barangay health workers, disaster responders, waste workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and employees required to work during calamities.
In a statement, Legarda said honoring the country’s everyday heroes must go beyond ceremonies and words of gratitude, and must be reflected in fair compensation, safe working conditions, social protection, and opportunities for the people who keep communities functioning every day.
"It is easy to call them heroes when there is a typhoon, a disaster, a crisis, or a special occasion. But if we truly value their contributions, that should be reflected in their wages, benefits, workplace safety, livelihoods, and protection for their families," she said.
The senator said support for these sectors must be translated not only into legislation, but into programs that make a difference in their daily lives.
"It is not enough to have laws or programs if people do not actually feel their impact. If there is support for farmers, it should help reduce their expenses and increase their income," Legarda said.
"If there is a program for small businesses, it should help them get started, grow, and create jobs. If there is support for teachers, it should reduce the expenses they have to pay out of their own pockets," she added.
Over the years, Legarda has worked to secure and strengthen government support for free irrigation for qualified farmers, livelihood and employment programs, skills training and scholarships, financing and equipment for micro and small enterprises, support for public school teachers, and agricultural machinery and facilities for farming communities.
In the 20th Congress, she has pushed measures including the Magna Carta of Barangay Health Workers, the Calamity Work Compensation Act, the Magna Carta for Public Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Workers, and the Magna Carta of Waste Workers, which seek stronger compensation, benefits, occupational safety, training, and social protection.
