Independent senatorial candidate Bam Aquino on Tuesday, April 15, urged for the passing of the legislation that would mandate a P200 wage hike.

Senators Bam Aquino speaks before various sectors during a campaign sortie in Miag-ao, Iloilo. (Bam Aquino Media Bureau)
The legislation is currently pending in Congress.
“Sa mga manggagawa, meron pong legislated wage increase, 200 pesos. Kailangan po mapasa na iyan. Napakahalaga na matulungan na natin ang ating manggagawa (To the workers, there is a legislated wage increase of P200. That needs to be passed. It’s very important to help our workers),” he told various sectors during a campaign sortie in Miag-ao, Iloilo province.
The former senator, who is running on the platform of free education and guaranteed jobs, underscored the importance of passing the proposed measure to alleviate the burden of workers from high prices of food and low wages.
Aquino vowed to work on passing the proposal if he wins another term in Senate.
The House version of the P200 wage hike bill was approved at the committee level before Congress adjourned in February for the campaign season.
The Senate, on the other hand, passed its version of a proposed P100 wage increase.
The two chambers must reconcile the proposals before the 19th Congress ends on June 13.
During his meeting with the different sectors, the former senator also reiterated his push for a P2,000 social pension for all senior citizens.
“Ito pong dagdag na P2,000 para sa mga senior, dadaan din po yan sa Senado. Kailangan matulungan po natin ang mga senior citizen po natin (This additional P2,000 for seniors will also pass through the Senate. We need to help our senior citizens),” he added.