06/05/2025
We need the government's support, please lungsss!
DEAR PBBM, IF YOU TAX US, CREATE LAWS TO PROTECT SERVICES, IMPROVE WELL-BEING, AND FORWARD THE DIGITAL ECONOMY
- Sleepless nights.
- No 13th month for many.
- The fear of getting fired at any time.
- Competing with international freelancers.
- Dealing with toxic clients and micromanagers.
- Staying relevant through upskilling.
- Taking care of physical and mental health.
These are just a few of the sacrifices those in digital jobs have.
And where do you send the income from what you are getting from our services? TO ARTISTS, MUSICIANS, AND FILMMAKERS!
NOT A DROP GOING TO FREELANCERS AND DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS?
"Additionally, 5% of the tax revenue collected under RA 12023 will be allocated to support the local creative industry, benefiting Filipino artists, musicians, and filmmakers." (Source: https://www.globalvatcompliance.com/globalvatnews/philippines-vat-digital-service-providers/)
NOTHING AGAINST Filipino artists, musicians, and filmmakers. I agree, we need transformation in this field. But they have existed and thrived as an industry since the beginning of time.
Do you know what's NOT THRIVING because we don't have laws, protection, and policies for us? We don't have government support? THE GIG INDUSTRY. Why are you putting the budget there when you can bring it back to the freelancing world?! We have lots of NEEDS.
No. 1 --- WE NEED CHEAP AND RELIABLE INTERNET. Our internet is one of the SLOWEST AND MOST EXPENSIVE in SEA. Why don't you bring the budget here and make the internet FREE and available everywhere? That way, more can earn from everywhere and contribute economically at the household level.
No. 2 --- WE NEED SKILL ADVANCEMENT. China is introducing AI in its elementary schools, robotics is advancing in Japan, and the US is exploring the heavens. Why not have a budget to align the future of skills with our students, who, by the way, according to PSA, are graduating as functionally illiterate?
No. 3 --- WE NEED POLICIES THAT WILL BENEFIT AND PROTECT FILIPINO DIGITAL GOODS AND SERVICES PROVIDERS. You are taxing us, but there is not even ONE LAW that will protect us from platforms, agencies, and other foreign institutions as Filipinos.
You are TAKING from us, but everything you take does not benefit us. Not a bit. You are just using us! You are supporting a different "local creative industry". Not the digital creatives. Not the Filipino digital workforce who are sleepless at night, compromising their health and sanity to provide a better quality of life on their own, because of the limited opportunities this government offers.
It is unfair.
It is unjust.
It is oppressive.
We demand LAWS TO PROTECT FREELANCING SERVICES, IMPROVE WELL-BEING, AND FORWARD THE DIGITAL ECONOMY! If not, know that you are just exhausting our resources, and that's mainly the very FILIPINO providing the digital service.
We respectfully urge you to allocate the revenue generated from the Digital Services Tax to support the very people and industries that it impacts the most.
😞😡😢
