gkbet House expedites deliberations on proposed workers’ P200 daily wage hike

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin RomualdezHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / FILE PHOTO

ANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is fast-tracking its deliberations on the proposed measure seeking a P200 daily wage hike, according to Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In a statement on Wednesday, Romualdez highlighted the need for a wage adjustment, pointing out that the “last legislated wage increase was enacted more than three decades ago under the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989.”

The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents the employees, is negotiating a new contract with the Oakland-based health giant. It said the strikers demand Kaiser hire more people to ease the burden put on the current staff.

Preliminary data from the BSP showed that net income rose to P95.2 billion as of end-July, up by 414 percent from the P18.5 billion in the same period last year.

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He explained that the measure was able to raise wages “without causing massive inflation or widespread business closures.”

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“If we were able to do this in the past, there is no reason why we cannot do it now, especially with careful planning and collaboration with all sectors,” Romualdez noted.

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“The emerging consensus in the House of Representatives, pending ongoing public consultation, might be to increase the minimum wage by P200 per day,” he added partly in Filipino.

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The lawmaker said the proposed hike with help boost household spending and stimulate local economies, among others.

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“Higher wages mean workers have more disposable income to spend on goods and services, increasing demand across various sectors. Since consumption is a significant driver of economic growth, this increased spending stimulates business activity, generates revenue, and supports job creation. In the Philippines, where consumer spending accounts for a substantial portion of GDP, a wage hike can act as an economic catalyst,” he explained.

“A well-designed wage hike is not just an immediate solution to help workers cope with inflation, it is an investment in our collective future,” Romualdez added.

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Before this, Romualdez met with labor leaders and representatives on Tuesday night to gather their input, supporting the appeal for a legislated wage hike.

Other lawmakers with Romualdez were TUCP Partylist Rep. Democrito Raymond Mendoza and Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre.

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Below is the list of leaders and representatives with Romualdez during the meeting:gkbet

Michael Mendoza – President, ALU (Associated Labor Unions) Gerard Seno, President-APSOTEU (Associated Professional, Supervisory, Office and Technical Employees Union) Cecilio Seno, Jr.- President, ALU – Metal Atty. Allan Montano, Vice President- FFW (Federation of Free Workers) Josua Mata, Secretary General-SENTRO (Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa) Luis Corral-TUCP (Trade Union Congress of the Philippines) VP for national and international affairs Arturo Basea- President, FUR (Federations of Unions of Rizal) Temistocles Dejon, Jr. – President, AWATU (All Workers Alliance Trade Union) Alvin Fidelson – President, KKKP (Kapisanan ng mga Kawani sa Koreo sa Pilipinas) Roland dela Cruz -President, NACUSIP (National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines) Arthur Juego -President, KILUSAN (Pambansang Kilusan ng Paggawa) Atty. Arnel Dolendo – President, PTGWO (Philippine Trade and General Workers Organization) and TUCP Secretary General Shirley Yorong- Assistant Secretary General, TUCP READ NEXT Maguindanao officials, candidates turn in unlicensed guns to Army SK chair dies after motorcycle slams into parked car in Ilagan EDITORS' PICK PCO confirms Marcos is seeking BARMM poll postponement to Oct Late Jesuit priest Eduardo Hontiveros nominated for National Artist for music Marcos admin bets still dominate 2025 Senate race 18 Chinese-Filipino artists shaping contemporary art this Year of the Snake Carpio fears PH pact on Ayungin Shoal may expand China’s reach Visiting forces agreement talks underway between PH, New Zealand MOST READ Marcos admin bets still dominate 2025 Senate race Carpio fears PH pact on Ayungin Shoal may expand China’s reach Navy: Drone found off Cagayan contains data on body of water Rep. Tulfo apologizes for using Edsa busway Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments