Zubiri pushing for passage of legislated wage hike by December
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri (Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines— Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Thursday vowed to push for the passage of a legislated wage increase by December this year.
Although a wage hike bill is not among the priority measures of Congress, Zubiri said it is important that the Senate make a stand on it.
“The cost of living has increased all over the country and they need that decent wage para makabuhay sila ng disente (to live a decent life),” he said during a press briefing in the Senate.
“Kaya itutulak talaga namin yan. We’re pushing that before the year ends, again by December, we’ll pass the legislative wage bill,” the Senate leader said.
“It may not be a priority in the Ledac (Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council), but what’s important is the Senate will make a stand. We’ll pass it here,” Zubiri stressed.
Once approved in the upper chamber, Zubiri said he himself would appeal to the President to consider this proposal.
Zubiri said he also hopes their counterparts in the House of Representatives would pass a similar measure.
“So that by the next year, it will be a great Christmas gift for the Filipino people for 2024,” he said.
“We need it. Talagang hirap na hirap ang kababayan natin (Our countrymen are really struggling),” the senator added.
Zubiri has been pushing for a P150 pay hike for workers in the private sector while Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is seeking a P12,000 increase for minimum wage earners in government.
