A House leader welcomed the approval of a P85 daily wage increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila.
House Committee on Labor and Employment (HCLE) Chair and Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla also asked for a wage increase and welcomed the approval of a P85 daily wage increase for minimum wage earners in Metro Manila
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the National Capital Region Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (NCR-TWPB) approved the wage increase.
Describing the latest wage hike as long-overdue relief for workers struggling with the rising cost of living, Revilla said the adjustment is a positive step toward improving the purchasing power of Filipino workers and reflects the urgent need for timely and responsive wage policies amid the continuing increase in the prices of basic goods and services.
He emphasized, however, that the wage increase should not be limited to Metro Manila, renewing his call on regional wage boards—particularly those in Calabarzon and Central Luzon—to consider comparable wage adjustments for workers facing similar economic pressures.
“We commend DOLE and the NCR Wage Board for this important step, but we must also ensure that workers in nearby regions who face similar economic pressures are not left behind,” Revilla said.
He noted that many workers in Calabarzon and Central Luzon are equally burdened by inflation and rising living costs, especially those who commute to Metro Manila or work in industries closely linked to the National Capital Region’s economy.
Even as Congress remains on recess, Revilla said the House Committee on Labor and Employment continues to work on long-term legislative solutions to improve workers’ welfare.
On Tuesday, the committee deliberated on 17 bills proposing a legislated P200 daily wage increase. The proposals seek to provide additional income relief to workers while allowing employers sufficient time to adjust to the increase through various schemes.
The panel also tackled a proposed amendment to the Labor Code that would institutionalize a mandatory Personal Finance Education Program for workers, equipping them with practical knowledge on budgeting, saving, financial planning, and responsible money management.
Lawmakers likewise discussed the proposed Financial Literacy for Workers Act, which seeks to strengthen workers’ understanding of basic financial concepts and protect them from investment scams, fraudulent schemes, and other forms of financial exploitation.
Revilla said improving workers’ welfare requires not only higher wages but also empowering them with the financial knowledge needed to maximize and safeguard their hard-earned income.
“Bilang Chairperson ng House Committee on Labor and Employment, pinangunahan natin ngayong araw ang pagtalakay sa mga panukalang batas na naglalayong iangat ang antas ng pamumuhay at itaguyod ang kapakanan ng bawat manggagawang Pilipino,” Revilla said in his Facebook post.
“Bagaman nasa recess ang sesyon ng Kongreso, patuloy ang ating trabaho upang dinggin at resolbahin ang mga kritikal na isyung kinakaharap ng sektor ng paggawa,” he added.
He expressed hope that regional wage boards would act swiftly in light of current economic conditions while Congress continues to pursue complementary legislative measures that promote fair wages, strengthen financial resilience, and improve the overall quality of life of Filipino workers nationwide.