Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is committed to improving the welfare of the country's workforce, Malaca±ang said on Tuesday, following the adjustment in the daily minimum wage for Metro Manila workers. In a Palace press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the PHP50 wage increase in Metro Manila is just one of the government interventions to give Filipino workers a more comfortable life.

According to Philippines News Agency, Castro emphasized that the PHP50 wage hike, now provided by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, is based on a thorough evaluation aimed at alleviating workers' hardships. The increase translates to an additional PHP1,300 per month for workers. Castro reiterated that President Marcos Jr. is actively developing programs to improve the quality of life for every Filipino worker.

The PHP50 wage increase is the highest ever granted by the National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board, raising the daily minimum wage rate in Metro Manila from PHP645 to PHP695 for the non-agriculture sector starting July 18. This wage hike is expected to benefit around 1.2 million workers, as announced by the Department of Labor and Employment.

In addition to the wage hike, the government has facilitated the creation of 170,000 jobs for Filipinos through job fairs held from 2022 to May 1, 2025, according to Castro. Furthermore, USD27 billion worth of investments in the country have resulted in the creation of 350,000 jobs.

The government is also examining the feasibility of a proposed PHP200 across-the-board daily salary increase for minimum wage workers. Castro noted that the feasibility study would consider the potential impact on small business owners, as an excessive increase might lead to layoffs and affect workers adversely. She emphasized that all measures would be thoroughly studied for the welfare of all stakeholders.