wages | The Adobo Chronicles

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – When one buys siopao (steamed pork buns) in the Philippines, one can choose between ‘regular’ and ‘special.’ The regular is stuffed with plain bola-bola (meatballs) or asado (sweetened pork), but the larger special comes with egg, sausage and other additional ingredients, depending on where you buy them.

The Philippines’ penchant for regular and special is ingrained in its psyche, even when it comes to public holidays. Holidays can be regular, or special (nonworking).

But unlike siopao, Filipino workers are shortchanged during special, nonworking holidays like Thursday, February 25, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the People’s Power Revolution that ousted the late dictator, Ferdinand E. Marcos.

For millions of hard-working Filipinos, they get the day off, but so do their pay. Special, nonworking holidays mean ‘no work, no pay.’

But for many, they have really no choice but to take the day off since their workplace is closed, and not get paid.

It’s more fun in the Philippines, where lawmakers think of the most brilliant of ideas.

Happy People’s Power, y’al!

A typical Filipino wake, with lots of food, singing, drinking and gambling.

Manila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – He would not increase the minimum wage, but Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino is raising funeral benefits for both public and private sector workers.

Aquino issued Executive Order 167, which he signed last May 26, directing the Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC) to implement the new law since the current rates “for both private and public sectors are no longer sufficient to cover funeral costs.”

Aquino increased the funeral benefits for both sectors from P10,000 to P20,000 effective immediately.

“We can’t afford to increase wages because most of the money in the public treasury has been spent on ghost projects and shady deals by senators, congressmen, private businessmen and members of my administration,” Aquino said, referring to the 10 Billion pork barrel scam that has all but paralyzed the government.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to at least provide them with decent last rites and resting place, especially since many of our countrymen are dying of hunger and unaffordable or no healthcare because of low wages,” Aquino told The Adobo Chronicles.

The Aquino administration hopes that through this executive order, the funeral parlor business will flourish, creating more jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers, and eventually helping grow the economy.

Got P20,000? Will rest in peace. With dignity.