MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez pledged on Wednesday that the House of Representatives would speed up the deliberations on a bill aimed at raising the daily minimum wage, emphasizing the need to strike a balance between workers’ needs and employers’ concerns.
Romualdez made this statement after meeting on Tuesday night with labor leaders at the House of Representatives, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Democrito Raymond Mendoza and Assistant Majority Leader Jude Acidre, to discuss the ongoing push for a legislated wage increase.
The Leyte congressman revealed that the House is looking into a P200 increase to the daily minimum wage, with the aim of providing financial relief to workers while maintaining the viability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“This is a critical step toward achieving inclusive growth and addressing the immediate challenges faced by Filipino families,” Romualdez explained.
He underscored the urgency of a wage adjustment, noting the rising costs of basic goods and services.
Inflation climbed to 2.9 percent in December, up from 2.5 percent in November, mainly driven by higher housing and energy prices, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Romualdez pointed out that the last legislated wage increase occurred over 30 years ago, under the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989.
“If we were able to do this in the past, there is no reason why we cannot do it now, especially with careful planning and collaboration with all sectors,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez further noted that, following public consultations, the consensus within the House is that a P200 increase in the daily minimum wage is a viable option.
He also highlighted the potential economic benefits of a wage increase, such as boosting household spending, stimulating local economies, and encouraging long-term growth.
Romualdez explained that in the Philippines, where consumer spending is a significant part of the country’s GDP, “a wage hike can act as an economic catalyst.”
“A well-designed wage hike is not just an immediate solution to help workers cope with inflation, it is an investment in our collective future,” he added.
Makabayan bloc lawmakers expressed support for Romualdez’s statement, calling it “a step in the right direction,” but argued that a P200 increase is inadequate, reiterating their proposal for a P750 across-the-board wage hike for private-sector workers to ensure a family living wage.
“We welcome any step towards increasing workers’ wages, as this positive development stems from our workers’ persistent demands for a legislated wage increase,” said Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas.
