The Commission commends the passage of Senate Bill No. 1826 (also known as the ENDO bill) in the Senate in its third and final reading, which seeks to end labor-only contracting or “endo,” and the signing of the law that institutionalises the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Both are seen as measures to ensure better standards of living and assistance to poor and vulnerable families.

Endo has been part of the collective struggle of the local labor workforce. The said practice curtails our workers’ rights to social security benefits and security of tenure. The bill’s passage is a welcome development towards the fulfilment of workers’ rights and favourable working conditions in every workplace in the country. And as we continue to step forward, we should unite in looking into those who exploit gaps in labor laws. As such, we remind the State that it is their duty to “afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment opportunities for all” (Section 3, Article XIII, 1987 Constitution).

As for families belonging to the poorest of the poor, the 4Ps Act allows better opportunities for children aged 0-18 by improving their health and access to education. This will give them the chance to break barriers and glass ceilings created by intergenerational poverty cycle. The challenge now, just like in the past, is to safeguard the program so it will not be compromised to corruption and partisan politics.