No politics in approving wage hike bill before 2025 polls, says solon

No politics in approval of wage hike bill before 2025 polls, says solon

/ 02:50 PM January 30, 2025
No politics in House panel OK of substitute on P200 minimum wage hike MANILA, Philippines — There is no politics behind a House of Representatives committee’s decision to approve the proposed P200 across-the-board minimum wage increase just before the election campaign season, a lawmaker assured the public on Thursday.

Rizal 4th District Rep. Juan Fidel Nograles, committee chairperson of the House Committee on Labor and Employment, said the delay in the approval of the substitute bill stemmed from the need to consult different sectors.

The last hearing that the committee held about the bills seeking a wage increase was on February 28, 2024 — and during that time, Nograles said that there was a need to intently study different proposals and listen to the different stakeholders involved in the proposals — workers’ organizations and employers alike. 

The campaign season for national elective posts starts on February 11, while those running for local seats can start campaigning by March 28.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Ah, hindi naman po. Kasi apat na hearing po yun, mahigit na eight months po ang naging pagdinig sapagkat kailangan ho natin bigyan ng sapat na pagkakataon lahat ng mga hanay, grupo, panig ng mga namumuhunan, mga investors, mga employers, mga manggagawa at ‘yong ating government sapagkat tripartite po ang mga usapin sa labor,” he told reporters after the committee hearing.

FEATURED STORIES

(That is not the case.  We conducted four hearings for over eight months because we needed to give everybody a chance to speak — groups, labor organizations, investors, employers, workers, and the government because our approach in terms of labor discussions should be tripartite.)

“Mahaba, masalimuot at kailangan po ng ating mga members na pag-aralan, suriin ‘yong issue na kung ano po ‘yong dapat na maging decision dito po sa wage increase,” he added.

Article continues after this advertisement

(It’s a long and grueling process because our members also have to study and scrutinize the issue and what would be our decision regarding wage increase.)

Article continues after this advertisement

According to Nograles, the wage increase proposals moved because of a directive from House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez — as the leader recognized the need for higher salaries in the face of economic crises.

Article continues after this advertisement

Potential impact on businesses, Nograles said, would be addressed by aiding micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Minarapat po ng ating Kongreso, alinsunod sa direktiba ng ating House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, na kailangang-kailangang na ho talaga na magkaroon ng panukalang dagdag sahod o umento sa sahod ng mga manggagawa sapagkat tumataas na ang bilihin at kailangan lang ho natin balansehin, magbibigay po tayo ng suporta sa mga MSMEs at ‘yong mga mapipinsala nitong wage increase po,” he said.

Article continues after this advertisement

(Congress deemed it necessary, in accordance with the directive of our House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, for us to push with proposals for wage increase of workers as we have seen higher prices of goods, so we need to balance it too, we will just support MSMEs and those who would be affected by the wage increase.)

“Wala naman po (directive from Malacañang).  Independent body po kasi ang Kongreso, at kami po dito, since may House committee po, so pinag-uusapan po, nagkaroon po tayo ng four hearings tulad nga ho nang nabanggit ko.  At matinding pag-uusap, pag-aaral po ang ginawa ho natin dito para po makapag-desisyon tayo na P200 wage increase ang narapat para sa mga magagawa,” he added.

(There is no directive from Malacañang, as Congress is an independent body.  And us here, because there’s a House committee, we talked about this, had four hearings as I mentioned.  And it was an intense discussion and deliberation that resulted in our decision to push for a P200 wage increase for workers.)

During the committee hearing earlier, majority of lawmakers present voted in favor of the unnumbered substitute bill — a consolidation of three proposals, under House Bill (HB) Nos. 514, 7568, and 7871.

The proposed P200 per day salary increase for minimum wage earners is higher than what the Senate has approved. 

Last February 19, Senate Bill No. 2534 which proposes a P100-daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers was approved on third and final reading.

HB No. 7871 filed by TUCP party-list and Deputy Speaker Raymond Mendoza asked for a P150 across-the-board wage hike for all workers in the private sector. 

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

The Makabayan bloc on the other hand filed HB No. 7568, which seeks a P750 wage increase.

TAGS: daily wage hike, House of Representatives

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2025 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.