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HOUSE PANEL OKS P200 WAGE HIKE

January 30, 2025 Jester P. Manalastas 81 views

FOLLOWING a strong backing from the House leadership, the House committee on labor and employment has approved a measure mandating a P200 daily across-the-board wage increase for private sector workers.

This came after Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez met with labor leaders Tuesday night to discuss their call for higher wages.

The committee, chaired by Rizal 2nd District Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles, approved a motion by Cotabato 3rd District Rep. Ma. Alana Samantha Santos to pass the substitute bill for the “P200 Daily Across-the-Board Wage Increase Act,” consolidating House Bill 514, 7568 and 7871.

If enacted into law, the measure would require all private businesses, regardless of size or industry, to implement a P200 daily pay hike for their workers.

Prior to this, Romualdez, together with Deputy Speaker and TUCP Party-list Rep. Democrito Raymond Mendoza and Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, met with labor leaders, where he affirmed the House’s commitment to fast-tracking a wage increase measure while ensuring economic sustainability.

“The House of the People is working tirelessly to craft a wage increase measure that meets the needs of our workers while ensuring that businesses, particularly MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), are supported during this transition,” Romualdez said.

“This is a critical step toward achieving inclusive growth and addressing the immediate challenges faced by Filipino families,” he added.

Aside from Nograles, Mendoza and Acidre, the committee-approved bill was authored by Reps. Ramon Jolo B. Revilla III (Cavite, 1st District), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela PL), France Castro (ACT Teachers PL), Raoul Manuel (Kabataan PL), Ron Salo (Kabayan PL), Ramon Guico Jr. (Pangasinan, 5th District), Joseph “Jojo” Lara (Cagayan, 3rd District), Robert Raymund Estrella (Abono PL), Yedda K. Romualdez (Tingog PL), Josefina Tallado (Camarines Norte, 1st District) and Jose Ma. Zubiri (Bukidnon, 3rd District).

“We will work on securing the measure’s approval as instructed by Speaker Romualdez,” Nograles said.

Under the proposed law, employers must provide the additional P200 per day to their workers’ salaries upon effectivity.