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.

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