President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should certify the proposed wage increase bill as urgent, as millions of Filipino workers cannot afford further delays amid rising prices of basic goods and services, Senator Risa Hontiveros.

“Nothing is more urgent than raising our workers’ wages. Kailangan nila ito ngayon (They need it now),” Hontiveros said.

The senator warned that every delay in the passage of the bill pushes more families deeper into poverty.

Sa bawat araw na nadedelay ang pag-usad ng panukalang ito, mas maraming pamilya ang nalulubog sa kahirapan. Panawagan natin na i-certify urgent na ito (With each day that the progress of this bill is delayed, more families are plunged into poverty. We call for this to be certified urgent),” she said.

The House of Representatives has already approved on second reading House Bill No. 11376, a measure requiring all private sector employers, regardless of size, to provide workers with a ₱200 daily wage increase.

Last Feb. 19, 2024, the Senate approved Senate Bill No. 2534, mandating a ₱100 minimum wage hike, with Hontiveros ensuring that contractual, sub-contractual, and agency-hired workers are also covered.

While she supports this legislated wage hike, she said it is only a step forward. “There is still a need to push for a ₱1,200 daily living wage. Filipino workers deserve a decent salary that truly meets their needs,” she said.

Likewise, she said it is high time to acknowledged the concerns of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) about the financial strain of wage hikes.

She also emphasized the need for government support to help MSMEs adapt to rising labor costs without compromising their sustainability.