Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has refiled a bill proposing a ₱100 across-the-board daily wage increase for workers nationwide, citing the growing gap between daily earnings and the rising cost of living, especially in urban areas.
Go’s proposal comes after the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region (NCR) approved a ₱50 daily wage hike.
While welcoming the increase, labor groups and several lawmakers criticized the amount as inadequate.
“The ₱50 wage increase in NCR is not enough, especially with the rising prices of basic goods. I hope we can pass the ₱100 legislated wage hike,” Go said in a statement.
The measure is one of the first 10 priority bills Go filed for the 20th Congress. A similar proposal—Senate Bill No. 2534—was filed in the previous Congress but stalled after the Senate and House failed to reconcile their versions, with the House proposing a ₱200 wage increase.
Go said he is open to further discussions to craft a unified version of the measure: “Let’s bring this back to the table and find common ground for the benefit of our workers.”
Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada also announced plans to refile a similar bill in the current Congress, expressing concern that the ₱50 hike approved by the RTWPB still falls short of addressing inflation and workers’ needs.
“While the ₱50 increase is timely and appreciated, it is not enough. Based on our Senate hearings with various stakeholders, ₱100 is the most reasonable and balanced proposal—benefiting around 4.2 million wage earners nationwide while considering business sustainability,” Estrada said.
Both lawmakers underscored the urgency of passing a legislated wage hike to provide more meaningful relief to millions of Filipino workers grappling with high living costs.