Trisha Anne Segumban 

The House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 11376, which seeks to mandate a Php 200 daily wage increase for the private sector workers nationwide, on June 4 at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City. 


The bill passed its third and final reading with 172 affirmative votes, zero negative, and one abstention during the plenary session. 

If enacted, this would be the first legislated nationwide wage hike since the RA 6727 or the Wage Rationalization Act of 1989. 

Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza, one of the principal authors, said the bill’s approval was a victory for Filipino workers. 

“This time the manggagawang Pilipino, panalo,” Mendoza said. 

Gabriela Women’s Party Representative Arlene Brosas supported the bill but stressed that the increase remains far from what families truly need to survive. 

Brosas cited data from the IBON Foundation showing that a family of five requires Php 1,225 daily to meet basic needs, while the average national wage is only Php 470.

“This means the current average wage in the country is glaringly insufficient for families to sustain and afford adequate food, shelter, and other basic necessities, while still being able to have savings,” she stated. 

Despite raising concerns, Brosas called the bill’s passage historic. 

“Now is the time to finally break the long years of legislative action,” she added. 

Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel echoed similar reservations, describing the Php200 hike as not enough but remains an important first step. 

“We call on our fellow members of the House to continue supporting this Php 200 wage increase until it is enacted into law,” Manuel mentioned. 

Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) attributed the bill’s demands and described the measure as a reflection of the failures of regional wage boards. 

In a statement, KMU urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to sign the bill into law and warned that a veto would show the government’s anti-worker stance. 

Partido Manggagawa echoed the sentiment but warned of time constraints, with the 19th Congress scheduled to adjourn on June 13.

While the Senate passes its version in February 2024, the final measure must still pass through a bicameral conference committee.

“Subalit kung talagang gugustuhin ng Palasyo at Kongreso, walang imposible. Kahit nga ang impeachment ni Sara Duterte ay kakayanin pa,” said Partido Manggagawa President Renato Magtubo. 

Several employers’ groups, including the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), opposed the bill, warning that a legislated wage hike could force businesses to reduce their workforce or raise prices to maintain profits.