Wage increases and inflation relief are among the immediate priorities of newly sworn-in Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino, who pointed to his Senate record as evidence of his commitment to the issue as he settled into his new role on Tuesday, May 26.
Tolentino, speaking on DZRH’s “Damdaming Bayan” on his first day at the Department of Labor and Employment, was asked about calls from workers for him to prioritize the wage increase issue amid the current inflation situation.
“Tama po kayo,” he said, affirming the concern before citing his legislative track record on wages during his time in the Senate.
“Kung makikita naman ninyo po ‘yung record ko po noon sa 18th, 19th Congress ay kasama po ako sa mga tumutok po diyan,” Tolentino said, without specifying the measures he had filed or supported on the issue.
The new labor chief called his appointment an opportunity to show how active the department could be, drawing on his experience as MMDA chairman as a benchmark for the kind of leadership he intends to bring to DOLE.
Tolentino said he had already convened an early morning meeting at DOLE on Tuesday, even before physically arriving at the department’s office for the first time.
“Nagpatawag ako ng maagang meeting ngayon sa DOLE. Hindi ko pa nga alam, hindi pa ho ako nakakarating doon sa opisina,” he said.
He was sworn in on Monday, May 25, by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at Malacañang, replacing outgoing Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, who stepped down due to health reasons.
Tolentino said his marching orders from Marcos centered on upholding the dignity of Filipino workers and enforcing protective labor laws, calling all of it “evolving” in response to the demands of the times.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, in a separate statement issued Monday, expressed confidence that Tolentino would strengthen the labor sector at a time the country faces various economic challenges, including the need to generate more jobs.
