Manila: Senator Joel Villanueva on Thursday encouraged members of the House of Representatives to immediately tackle the proposed Minimum Wage Increase Act once session resumes on June 2, calling the measure a timely and meaningful gift for Filipino workers. He expressed optimism that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. could sign it into law before the end of the 19th Congress on June 13, 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Senate approved on the third and final reading Senate Bill 2534, also known as the PHP100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act of 2023, last February 19. If the House of Representatives adopts the Senate version, the measure could be sent to the Office of the President for signature. If enacted into law, the measure would raise the daily minimum wage by PHP100 to provide a balanced and sustainable solution to wage disparities.
Villanueva emphasized the importance of the wage hike amid rising prices of goods, stating that it is crucial to provide some relief to the country's labor sector. 'Magandang regalo po para sa ating mga manggagawa ang pagsasabatas ng Minimum Wage Increase Act (The passage of the Minimum Wage Act would be a wonderful gift for our labor sector),' Villanueva said in a news release.
