ACT Teachers Representative and Deputy Minority Leader Antonio Tinio dismissed the World Bank’s reclassification of the Philippines as an upper-middle-income nation, branding it “meaningless propaganda” that conceals the poverty and exploitation endured by Filipino workers.
Tinio noted that while the Marcos Jr. administration touts a GNI per capita of $4,850, the average worker earns only ₱510 a day—less than half the ₱1,312 living wage.
“Anong uri ng economic progress ito kung ang mga taong gumagawa ng yaman ay hindi makakain ng maayos?” he asked.
He underscored the contradiction between the World Bank’s optimistic assessment and stagnant wages despite reported 5.8 percent annual growth over the past five years.
“Saan napunta ang yaman na ito? Sa bulsa ng mga kapitalista at sa mga kurakot ba?” Tinio said, stressing that the classification measures aggregate income, not its distribution.
The lawmaker condemned the government’s celebration of the reclassification even as its own economic managers admit that “income disparities persist.” He called it a mockery of workers who continue to struggle.
Tinio reiterated ACT Teachers’ push for House Bill No. 202—the ₱1,200 Living Wage Bill—as the only meaningful response.
“Walang halaga ang ‘upper-middle income’ status kung ang ordinaryong Pilipino ay hindi makakabili ng pagkain at damit,” he declared. “Ang tunay na sukatan ng pag-unlad ay kung kailan ang bawat Pilipino ay may dignidad, seguridad sa trabaho at sapat na kita para sa kanilang pamilya.” # (RRN)
