MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have refiled a bill proposing a ₱1,200 national minimum wage for all workers in the country.
ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio and Kabataan Party-list Representative Renee Co led the filing of House Bill 2500, also known as the National Minimum Wage Act, aiming to secure a living wage for Filipino workers.
The authors of the bill explained that despite previous attempts, the measure was ignored by the 19th Congress, prompting them to push for it again in the current legislative session.
The proposed law also seeks to amend the existing Labor Code by abolishing the current Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs). In its place, the bill recommends the creation of a National Wages and Productivity Board, which will be responsible for setting a uniform minimum wage across the country.
If enacted, the measure would establish a baseline wage of ₱1,200 per day for all workers nationwide — a significant increase from current regional wage rates that vary across regions.
Supporters of the bill argue that a standardized living wage is critical to address inflation, promote social justice, and improve the quality of life for millions of Filipino workers.
