House of Representatives members hailed on Wednesday night, June 4 the passage of the P200 minimum daily wage hike bill on third and final reading.

Celebrating the House's overwhelming approval of House Bill (HB) No.11376 or the "Wage Hike for Minimum Wage Workers Act" were Cavite 1st district Rep. Ramon Jolo Revilla III, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, CIBAC Party-list Rep. Eddie Villanueva, and Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas. 

The historical significance and sheer importance of the bill to Filipino workers weren't lost on these 19th Congress solons.

Revilla, the bill’s principal author, says the measure is a long-overdue recognition of the vital role of workers in nation-building.

 

“Ang panalo pong ito ay pagkilala sa pagsusumikap at walang sawang sakripisyo ng bawat manggagawang Pilipino na siyang haligi ng ating ekonomiya. Matagal nang inaasam-asam ito ng ating mga kababayan. At nararapat lang po na mabigyan natin sila ng sapat sa sahod na makakatugon sa kanilang pangangailangan,” he said.

(This victory is a recognition of the hard work and unwavering sacrifices of every Filipino worker, who stands as the backbone of our economy. Our fellow citizens have long yearned for this moment. It is only right that we provide them with wages that sufficiently meet their needs.)

Revilla thanked House Speaker Martin Romualdez for backing the measure, which he described as a product of unity and compassion within the House of Representatives.

“Malaki po ang pasasalamat natin kay Speaker Martin Romualdez at sa ating mga kasamahan sa kongreso. Dahil sa kanilang suporta, isang makasaysayang hakbang ang ating naabot para sa mga manggagawang Pilipino lalo na’t ang huling legislated wage hike ay lagpas tatlong dekada na ang nakaraan,” he said.

(We extend our deep gratitude to Speaker Martin Romualdez and our colleagues in Congress. Thanks to their support, we have achieved a historic milestone for Filipino workers, especially since the last legislated wage hike was more than three decades ago.)

Despite the legislative victory, Revilla was quick to acknowledge that the fight for a living wage is far from over.

Cendaña called HB No.11376's passage as "a resounding and historic triumph for Filipino workers in the halls of Congress, 36 years in the making". The last time a legislated wage hike bill was enacted was way back in 1989.

The Akbayan solon said that the legislation was as a "lifeline” for Filipino workers amid the rising prices of goods.

“Salbabida ito ng mga manggagawang nalulunod sa taas ng presyo ng bilihin, petrolyo, tubig, at kuryente (This serves as a lifeline for workers drowning in the rising costs of goods, fuel, water, and electricity). This legislative breakthrough sends a strong message that Filipino workers deserve to live a life of comfort and dignity," he said.

Villanueva also hailed the measure's passage, as he said that “Every Filipino employee’s dignity must be upheld by ensuring that they are given not only what is just but what is humane."

"This legislated wage hike is a moral step toward fairness in the face of rising prices and stagnant wages,” he said.

“This is not just an economic and social measure — it is a Biblical and ethical duty. The Bible reminds us that ‘the worker deserves his wages’ (Luke 10:7). We must act with justice and compassion for the nation’s workforce,” stressed the CIBAC solon

HB No.11376 covers all minimum wage earners regardless of industry, employment status, or business size. Existing allowances and benefits will also remain unaffected and cannot be diminished as a result of the wage increase.

The bill also mandates the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to conduct payroll inspections and enforce compliance in both unionized and non-unionized workplaces.u It also imposes penalties for violations, which include imprisonment and double indemnity for non-compliance.

Brosas voted "yes" to the bill but with reservations. This was because the lady solon sought a much bigger, P750 across-the-board wage increase for workers in order to achieve the P1,200 living wage.

"Bagama't kapos ang P200 na umento para abutin ang nakabubuhay na sahod, signipikanteng hakbang na ang pagpasa nito para iusad ang usapin ng sahod sa bulwagang ito. Kailangang ituloy-ituloy ang pagpasa dito hanggang pirmahan ito ng Pangulo," she said.

(Although the ₱200 wage increase falls short of reaching a living wage, its passage is a significant step in advancing the discussion on wages in this chamber. It must continue to move forward until the President signs it into law.)

"It has been 36 years since the last legislated minimum wage was approved. Now is the time to finally break the long years of legislative inaction," she added.