House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez says the House of Representatives will expedite deliberations on proposed wage hike legislation to address the urgent need for economic relief among Filipino workers. 

This, after Romualdez met with labor leaders and representatives of the country’s major labor groups at the Speaker’s Social Hall on Tuesday night, Jan.28 to listen to their inputs and plea for a legislated wage hike. 

“The House of the People is working tirelessly to craft a wage increase measure that meets the needs of our workers while ensuring that businesses, particularly MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) are supported during this transition. This is a critical step toward achieving inclusive growth and addressing the immediate challenges faced by Filipino families,” Romualdez said. 

“Ang lumalabas na consensus dito sa House of Representatives, pending ongoing public consultation, baka kayang dagdagan ng P200 bawat araw ang minimum wage,” he said. 

(The consensus here in the House of Representatives, pending ongoing public consultation, is a proposal to increase the daily minimum wage by P200.) 

Deputy Speaker TUCP Party-list Rep. Democrito Raymond Mendoza and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre accompanied the labor leaders in their meeting with Speaker Romualdez. 

As inflation continues to drive up the prices of essential goods and services, Romualdez stressed that the need for a meaningful wage adjustment was more pressing than ever. 

He noted that the last legislated wage increase was enacted more than three decades ago under the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989, which successfully raised wages without causing massive inflation or widespread business closures. 

“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. Hindi lang natin tataasan ang suweldo, titiyakin din natin na makatutulong ito sa ating ekonomiya,” the House leader said. 

(Not only will we hike wages, we will also ensure that it will help our economy.) 

Romualdez underscored the broader economic benefits of a wage increase, such as boosting household spending, stimulating local economies, and driving long-term growth. 

“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 (gross domestic product), 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,” added the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president and Leyte 1st district congressman. 

Nevetheless, Romualdez highlighted the importance of a win-win solution that balances the interests of workers and employers. Provisions being considered include wage subsidies and exemptions for MSMEs, which are vital to the Philippine economy. 

“Our MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, and they must be protected even as we address the needs of our workers. Through wage subsidies and other mechanisms, we aim to ensure that no one is left behind,” he said. 

The Speaker assured the public that the House of Representatives had been consulting extensively with all stakeholders, including workers’ groups, employers, and economists, to ensure that the resulting legislation is inclusive and sustainable. 

“This is a delicate balancing act, but the House is committed to addressing the concerns of all sectors. We are working on a measure that truly reflects the spirit of bayanihan, one that uplifts workers, supports businesses, and strengthens the economy,” he said.