Congress urged to settle final legislated wage hike bill

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Senate and the House of Representatives have been urged to settle the final legislated wage increase bill to be forwarded to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. amid differing versions.

The House on Wednesday, June 4, passed on third and final reading a bill providing a P200 daily wage hike for minimum wage earners in the private sector.

In February 2024, the Senate passed a P100 legislated wage hike bill.

The TUCP party-list said there’s still time to convene the bicameral conference committee, even if the 19th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 13. TUCP party-list group Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza is among the bill’s principal authors.

“We will not waste the progress and the gains that we have made this 19th Congress,” TUCP party-list spokesperson Carlos Miguel Oñate told NewsWatch Plus on Thursday.

“If we go back to the 20th Congress and refile this, we will go back to zero,” Oñate added. “As far as we are concerned that is not an option.”

Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, who will also be part of the House members in the bicam, also said they will not be rigid on the amount of the legislated wage increase.

“Pag-usapan natin nang mabuti kung ano ang dapat isulong natin… Pag nagkaisa mabilis na lang po ‘yon... pwede ng pumunta sa sala ng pangulo,” Brosas told reporters.

[Translation: Let’s discuss the amount that we should settle on. Once we are one with the amount, it will just be quick. The bill could go to the office of the president.]

Sen. JV Ejercito said some of his colleagues suggested adopting the House’s version, or even “compromise” at P150, but noted there is “nothing concrete” yet on the side of the Senate.

“Ang masisiguro natin magkakaroon ng increase, minimum P100 then probably maximum P200,” Ejercito said in a news briefing.

[Translation: We can ensure that there will be an increase, minimum at P100 then probably maximum at P200.]

“Bago natin yan i-push at aprubahan, we have to make sure also the businesses can afford and can survive,” he said.

[Translation: Before we push and approve it, we have to make sure also the businesses can afford and can survive.]

Malacañang said Marcos will review the economic implications of the P200 legislated wage increase. In January, the president was not convinced to certify the bill as urgent.

In a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry said it “views with concern” the move of Congress, explaining the unilateral wage hike did not consider its impact to the economy and sets a precedent undermining the Regional Wages and Productivity Board.

“The PCCI hopes that the bicameral conference committee will consider the position of the business sector and adopt a comprehensive approach that balances the needs of workers with the capacity of businesses and ensure that MSMEs continue to thrive while still providing fair wages,” it said.

On the other hand, labor groups Kilusang Mayo Uno and Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino said if Marcos were to veto the measure once it reaches him for signing into law, it would show that his administration is “anti-worker.”