House body to tackle P125-wage hike bill

MANILA, Philippines —The labor committee of the House of Representatives will still discuss the P125 wage hike bill although the measure has yet to get President Benigno Aquino’s nod.

Committee chair Northern Samar Representative Emil Ong on Thursday said they would continue hearing House Bill No. 375 even as Malacañang has recently said that the P125 wage hike was too high and did not seem practical.

He said that the House respected how the Palace viewed the measure and would consider it when the time for casting votes came. He however explained that the committee planned to push through with the last regional hearing in Baguio scheduled in May.

Ong added the committee might discuss the possibility of pushing for varying wage hikes for every region, depending on its cost of living.