Manila: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) stated on Thursday that the responsibility for filing new bills concerning additional wages for workers rests solely with Congress.

According to Philippines News Agency, DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma explained that once a bill becomes law, the department's role is to implement it. "Refiling and filing of new bills, including wage hikes, is within the power of our legislative branch. That's their mandate. If any proposed legislation, whatever the subject matter, becomes a law, it is the duty of the executive department, in this case, the DOLE, to implement the same," he remarked during an interview.

In response to labor groups expressing disappointment over President Ferdinand R. Marcos' omission of a legislated wage hike in his recent State of the Nation Address, Laguesma noted that the President's address was focused on the welfare of workers. He added that the current administration does not oppose the proposed law for a wage increase.

Laguesma emphasized that the executive branch, particularly the DOLE, is responsible for providing technical inputs to legislators who will deliberate on the proposed wage hike. He stated, "Whether our inputs are considered or not, we will consider the wisdom of the members of Congress. If we happen to have a proposal that becomes law, eventually the duty of the DOLE is to implement the law."

He assured that the department would support the proposal for a legislated wage hike and would not obstruct it. Laguesma highlighted the ongoing role of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in fulfilling its responsibilities.

The National Capital Region RTWPB recently enacted a PHP50 daily wage increase for minimum wage earners, raising their daily take-home pay from PHP645 to PHP695 for an eight-hour workday.