House Pushes for ₱200 Daily Minimum Wage Hike Bill

House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced that the House of Representatives will push for a ₱200 daily minimum wage increase, following discussions with labor groups on Tuesday.

“The emerging consensus in the House is that we can implement a ₱200 daily wage hike,” Romualdez said, emphasizing that this step aims to promote inclusive growth and address economic challenges faced by Filipino workers.

This move follows the Senate’s approval of a ₱100 legislated daily minimum wage increase in March 2024. Meanwhile, at least 77 House lawmakers previously backed a ₱150 wage hike, though the proposal remains pending before the House labor committee.

Opposition lawmakers welcomed the Speaker’s announcement but urged Congress to act quickly.

• Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers party-list) reiterated her call for a ₱750 wage increase to meet the ₱1,200 family living wage, but acknowledged that a ₱200 hike would still be a step forward.
• Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party) pushed for a national minimum wage standard, arguing that workers across regions face equal price increases.

Labor coalition Nagkaisa also supported the initiative, stressing that rising inflation continues to erode wages.

The House is now working on a wage increase measure that balances workers’ needs with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) during the transition.