House Deputy Speaker Pushes for Minimum Wage Hike
House Deputy Speaker and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party-list Representative Raymond Democrito Mendoza is urging the Senate to speed up the harmonization of the minimum wage hike bills from both chambers before the 19th Congress ends. The call for a swift legislative move on the minimum wage hike comes as the House supports a ₱200 increase while the Senate proposes ₱100. Mendoza highlighted the urgency, saying, “We are eager to work urgently with our Senate counterparts to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the wage hike bills—₱200 and ₱100 respectively—and ratify the final version on the same day.”
As a strong advocate for workers, Mendoza is part of the House delegation attending the Bicameral Conference Committee sessions tasked with merging the two proposals. He stressed the importance of this harmonization to ensure Filipino workers receive much-needed relief amid rising living costs.
Senate Urged to Prioritize Workers’ Welfare
Mendoza appealed directly to Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero and Senate Labor Committee Chair Sen. Joel Villanueva, urging them not to deny workers this vital wage adjustment. He warned against promoting the Philippines as a source of cheap labor to investors, which only benefits business profits without addressing larger economic challenges like high power costs, corruption, and business inefficiencies.
Both the House and Senate resumed sessions after a four-month break, but time is tight. The 19th Congress is set to adjourn on June 11, leaving only days for lawmakers to finalize and ratify the wage increase before sending it to President Marcos for approval.
Wage Hike Seen as Crucial for Filipino Families
“No other single piece of legislation today would more directly improve the lives of Filipino working families than a legislated wage hike—be it ₱100, ₱200, or a middle ground of ₱150,” Mendoza emphasized. He recalled that both chambers passed their versions of the wage hike bills unanimously, reflecting broad support across political lines.
He expressed hope that the bicameral committee would overcome political divisions and resist pressure from elite employer groups who spread fear about the impact of higher wages. Mendoza underlined that this is a rare chance to deliver a swift wage increase that would benefit millions of minimum wage earners.
Public Backing and Economic Impact
According to a recent May 2025 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, 92% of Filipinos want the Senate to prioritize raising the minimum wage, and 95% expect the House to do the same. This overwhelming public demand underscores the urgency of the measure.
Mendoza noted that the bill resulted from years of thorough hearings, where economists, academics, civil society groups, informal workers, and minimum wage earners all testified on the necessity of increasing wages to lift more than five million workers out of poverty.
He also challenged claims from big businesses warning of inflation, unemployment, and closures due to wage hikes. “Big businesses’ unsubstantiated and deceptive doomsday scenarios of massive inflation, unemployment, and business closures supposedly due to a wage increase have been debunked and refuted time and time again in these hearings,” Mendoza said. He added that higher wages actually promote inclusive growth by boosting consumer spending, which in turn drives business activities and creates better job opportunities.
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