Marcos to review ₱200 wage hike; solons seek bicam

President Marcos has not yet endorsed or committed to signing the proposed P200 wage hike bill as it is still waiting for the outcome of the bicameral conference committee deliberations and a comprehensive review of economic implications, Malacañang said on Thursday, June 5.

- By ARGYLL CYRUS GEDUCOS, DHEL NAZARIO, and ELLSON QUISMORIO

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro made this statement after 172 members of the House of Representatives voted to approve House Bill No. 11376, which mandates a P200 increase in the daily wage, which drew mixed reactions from senators.

In her press briefing on Thursday, June 5, the Palace official said Marcos' position remains open-ended as the measure is still up for bicameral deliberations.

"This will still be studied and the Senate has yet to complete its deliberations. The matter is not yet finished," said Castro, apparently unaware that the Senate has already passed their wage hike version in February 2024.

Senate passed wage bill in 2024 The Senate passed its version of the bill-a P100 wage hike-in February 2024.

Still, Castro underscored that the President remains committed to finding a fair and practical resolution.

"The President wants to provide what is fair and most beneficial for Filipino workers," she said.

The proposed increase would override the regional wage-setting system currently administered by tripartite wage boards, which traditionally calibrate rates based on local economic conditions. This is also a point raised by Marcos in January this year.

"The thing is, we have a tripartite board that actually determines the increase in the wage. So, we still have to study it further to see how that will work together," he had said. "I don't know how that's going to work together. But we will see. We will try to resolve that because, as you know, it's very clear that the price of goods is rising and the inflation is still high," he said at that time.

Labor groups have long pushed for a nationwide wage hike, arguing that regional boards move too slowly and wages remain below living standards in most areas.