With the 19th Congress nearing its end, lawmakers are pushing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent a Senate bill that seeks to raise the daily minimum wage by P100.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who chairs the Senate committee on labor, employment, and human resource development, stressed the need for swift action, emphasizing that economic growth should be reflected in the well-being of Filipino workers.
“The session is winding down, and we must ensure this measure is passed before adjournment,” Villanueva said on Friday. He reiterated the urgency of wage adjustments amid rising costs of goods, highlighting the need for workers to maintain a decent standard of living.
The Senate had already approved Senate Bill 2534, which grants the P100 wage increase, in February 2024. Meanwhile, the House committee on labor and employment recently approved a separate proposal for a P200 across-the-board wage hike.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr., the principal author of SB 2534, expressed hope that the bill’s counterpart measure in the lower house could still make it through before the legislative session ends. “With just nine session days left, we still have time to get this done,” Revilla said.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero assured that the Senate will work closely with the House of Representatives to finalize the wage hike measure. Congress is set to adjourn on February 7 and will only have a brief session in June before the 19th Congress concludes.
If President Marcos certifies the bill as urgent, the House can fast-track its approval, allowing both chambers to reconcile their versions and send the measure to Malacañang for signing before the session officially ends.
