Marcos could have certified wage hike bills as urgent, says Makabayan

House of Representatives plenary. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. could have certified wage hike bills pending with Congress as urgent instead of ordering a review of the workers’ average pay, lawmakers from the House of Representatives’ Makabayan bloc said.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro said they believe the President is very much aware that there are bills in both the House and the Senate that, if passed, would increase the minimum wage in the country.

According to Manuel, it seems Marcos is just evading discussions on wage hikes.

“Sadyang iniiwasan ng nakaupong pangulo na si Marcos Jr. ang pag-certify as urgent ng mga wage bills na pending sa Kamara.  I’m sure alam niya na merong bills na naka-file, kasi nga sa Senado naipasa na eh, meron nang wage hike.  Sa Kamara nga rin, meron pang iba’t ibang versions,” Manuel said.

(It seems incumbent President Marcos Jr. is just evading talks about certifying wage bills pending in Congress. I’m sure he knows that there are bills filed, because even in the Senate, the bill was already passed on third reading.  In the House, there are different versions.)

“Ibig sabihin talaga, marami pwedeng gawin na eh, nand’yan ang across-the-board wage hike, ibig sabihin isang rate ng pagtaas sa lahat; merong P150 (per day), tapos ang proposal nga natin talaga para lumapit sa family living wage, P750 na pagtaas sa lahat,” he added.

(This means there are many things that can be done: there’s the across-the-board wage hike or a unified increase in rates; there’s the P150 (per day); then there’s our proposal of P750 wage hikes so that the workers’ income would be near the family living wage.)

Castro asked if Marcos has not heard of workers’ plight because it seems the President is still considering a review.

“Bakit nasa review phase pa rin siya?  Hindi niya ba nakikita ‘yong inflation?  Hindi niya ba nakikita ‘yong panawagan ng mga manggagawa?  Hindi niya ba nakikita ‘yong mga pagdinig dito sa Kongreso?” she asked.

(Why is he still in the review phase?  Hasn’t he heard about the inflation rates?  Wasn’t he able to see the calls of the workers?  Isn’t he aware of the hearings done in Congress?)

“So inutil itong mga regional wage board sa matagal na panahon ay hindi talaga ito gumagana, balak talaga natin na buwagin,” she added.

(So the regional wage boards are useless, for the longest time these did not work, so we plan to abolish it.)

Marcos on Wednesday, to celebrate Labor Day, ordered the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board to review the minimum wages for their respective regions, amid increased inflation rates.

Similarly, the Chief Executive also ordered the National Wages and Productivity Commission to review its rules.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, thanked Marcos for his directive, but he also urged the President to consider certifying the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act as urgent.

Last February 19, the Senate approved on third and final reading a bill that would increase private sector workers’ wages by P100.  In the House, proposals are still pending with the House committee on labor and employment — including a bigger P350 per day hike.