The Nagkaisa Labor Coalition has raised concerns that the national energy emergency declared by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is “prone to abuse” without a clear plan and meaningful consultation with key sectors.
Led by Atty. Sonny Matula, chair of the coalition criticized the lack of a concrete roadmap explaining how emergency powers will address the country’s energy challenges, warning that workers and ordinary citizens could bear the brunt of rising costs.
When asked by Gold Star Daily News what specific measures the labor group would propose to protect workers from rising energy costs and economic uncertainty, Matula said:
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“The energy emergency must translate into immediate and practical relief for workers," sa Matula adding that the government should roll out fuel and transport subsidies, enforce strict price monitoring, and ensure wage protection so rising energy costs do not simply fall on labor.
Matula, also the president of the Federation of Free Workers said that they propose a concrete emergency package: suspension or reduction of fuel excise taxes; targeted subsidies for transport workers, delivery riders, and low-income sectors;
"A moratorium on ejectment; a freeze on house rentals; suspension of loan payments in government-owned and controlled corporations; and suspension of parking fees for workers in export processing zones."
At the same time, government must move beyond short-term fixes. This means accelerating alternatives to petroleum—such as electrified public transport, renewable energy, and energy-efficient systems—and putting in place a clear reserve fuel plan to stabilize supply during global shocks.
The Federation of Free Workers told this paper that workers must organize to ensure policymakers hear their voices.
“Workers should also be encouraged to organize unions or associations so they can have a real voice not only in the workplace, but also in local and national policymaking.
In times of crisis, individual workers are often unheard, but organized workers can collectively lobby for measures that protect their rights, advance their interests, and ensure that government and employers hear the voices of those who keep the economy running.
A genuine energy response must therefore include not only subsidies and safeguards, but also respect for freedom of association and workers’ participation in shaping the solutions.”
Finally, Matula warned that employers must not use this crisis to justify wage cuts, reduced hours without pay, or arbitrary layoffs.
"An emergency declaration must come with a clear roadmap: lower costs, secure incomes, and a credible transition away from oil dependence. Otherwise, it is all alarm—and no assurance," he stressed.
Matula added that rather than relying solely on emergency powers, the government should convene a national summit with workers, employers, farmers, transport groups, and civil society to craft a unified strategy for energy stability.
“Workers do not need a state of emergency; they need a State with a plan,” he emphasized, stressing that meaningful consultation and transparent policies are essential to protect those most affected by rising costs and economic uncertainty.
