Senators on Sunday, June 8 called for the immediate convening of the bicameral conference committee that will tackle the wage hike bill to provide the much needed income relief to private sector workers amid the growing economic pressures. 

Since both the Senate and House of Representatives have acted upon the measure, Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go echoed the call of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) for an urgent bicameral conference to reconcile the two versions and ensure that the final measure reaches the President in the 19th Congress. 

Senate Bill No. 2534 approved its version of the bill, providing for a P100 wage increase, last year, while the counterpart House Bill No. 11376, which proposes a P200 hike, was approved last June 3. 

“I hope we can pass this in time because the welfare of many Filipino workers depends on it,” said Go, emphasizing the importance of acting on the measure while Congress is still in session. 

“If this is not prioritized, there is a possibility that our workers will feel as if their demands have been ignored,” he warned, pointing out that the wage hike has become a matter of economic necessity amid worsening socioeconomic indicators.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said since the House has already submitted the names of the conferees for the bicameral meeting, the Senate should do the same as soon as possible. 

“What we really need at this point is to protect our small and medium enterprises. Especially those whose employees are less than 10. I hope they won’t be affected too much,” Tolentino said.

He noted that the Senate’s version of the measure has no provision specifically for small and medium scale businesses. 

“The House version I think has some sort of incentive. So both houses should agree on that note so that our MSMEs won’t die, especially those in the provinces,” he said.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian also echoed the same call saying there is an urgent need for the bicam panel to immediately assess the two versions of the measure. 

“Wage hike is a balancing act…and I know lawmakers are studying the amount that would balance it out so we all can be in a win-win situation,” he said, saying lawmakers have to also consider the possible layoffs that may occur once the measure takes effect.