Photo credit: Congress PH

The House of Representatives is making moves to give Filipino workers a much-needed pay boost. Following Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s push to accelerate discussions, the Committee on Labor and Employment, led by Rizal 4th District Representative Juan Fidel Felipe Nograles, has approved the committee report on a bill proposing a P200 across-the-board daily wage increase for private sector employees.

This means the proposal is now headed for plenary deliberations, bringing it one step closer to reality.

Why the Urgency?

Speaker Romualdez emphasized that the last legislated wage increase happened more than 30 years ago—way too long, given today’s rising cost of living. He sees this move as essential in helping workers cope with economic challenges while ensuring businesses, especially MSMEs, get the right support during the transition.

“Ang lumalabas na consensus dito sa House of Representatives, pending ongoing public consultation, baka kayang dagdagan ng P200 bawat araw ang minimum wage,” Romualdez stated.

Balancing Worker Welfare and Business Viability

While the proposed increase is welcome news for employees, lawmakers are also considering its impact on businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises. The goal? Strike a balance—provide fair wages while making sure businesses can sustain operations.

With Speaker Romualdez at the helm, the House is working hard to deliver meaningful reforms that uplift Filipino families. Will this long-overdue wage hike finally push through? All eyes are now on Congress as deliberations move forward!