Courtesy: Biron Law
THE House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a bill Wednesday granting a P200 daily increase to the minimum wage for private sector workers, marking the first such increase in 36 years.
The measure passed with 171 affirmative votes, one negative vote, and no abstentions.
While lauded by proponents as a significant step towards improving workers’ lives, the increase has also sparked debate regarding its sufficiency in addressing the rising cost of living.
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party-list, a co-author of the bill, acknowledged that the P200 increase may still fall short of a living wage but emphasized its importance as a crucial first step towards addressing long-standing wage stagnation.
Brosas stressed the need for continued legislative action to ensure the bill is signed into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
The House version of the bill differs from the Senate’s approved P100 increase, setting the stage for a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the discrepancies.
Co-author Cavite Representative Jolo Revilla expressed optimism, viewing the P200 increase as an initial step in a broader effort to improve the livelihoods of Filipino workers.
He suggested that further legislative measures aimed at alleviating the financial burdens on workers will follow. The final bill will require presidential approval to become law.
