Go bats for P100 raise in minimum wage

SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go has highlighted the critical need to uplift the living standards of ordinary Filipino workers, especially in light of the economic setbacks caused by the pandemic and the steady rise in the cost of living.

“In the past years, many of our countrymen lost their jobs due to the pandemic. Several businesses were closed and stopped operations that severely affected the livelihood of many people,” said Go in his co-sponsorship remark on February 7 (Wednesday) for Senate Bill (SB) 2534, or an “Act increasing the daily minimum wage of private sector employees by P100.”

Go is also one of the co-authors of the proposed measure.

“Adding to this is the continuing rise in the price of commodities in the market that burdened especially the poor Filipinos,” he said.

Go emphasized the government’s duty to ensure fair wages, benefits and equal opportunities for all Filipinos.

He pointed out the challenges faced by many Filipinos who lost their jobs during the pandemic and are now struggling with inflation and low wages as the economy gradually recovers.

“A survey conducted by the SWS from September to October of last year revealed that around 13.2 million families consider themselves poor,” Go said, underlining the urgency of addressing poverty and economic disparity in the country.

He emphasized that the proposed wage increase ensures that the economic recovery is inclusive and benefits all sectors of society, particularly the working class.

Go also underscored the importance of prioritizing the needs of the impoverished, as he promotes policies that ensure no Filipino is left behind as the nation charges forward on the path to recovery.

“Mr. President, let us prioritize the welfare of the poor. No one should go hungry. They should feel the rise of the economy towards a safer and comfortable life after the pandemic,” he said.

SB 2534, principally sponsored by Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada, aims to raise the daily minimum wage by P100 if enacted into law.

The proposed adjustment came after regional wage boards increased daily wage rates by P30 to P89 in various regions, including Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and Central Luzon.

Reducing the initially proposed wage hike from P150 to P100 considers these previous adjustments, seeking to provide a balanced and sustainable solution to wage disparities.

The current daily minimum wage in the National Capital Region stands at P610.

Go highlighted the bill’s alignment with the constitutional mandate to improve the quality of life for ordinary Filipinos, especially working-class ones.

“The measure at hand serves as our response to the mandate of the Constitution to alleviate the living conditions of the ordinary Filipinos through policies that provide for a decent and humane standard of living and improved quality of life, particularly of the working class, by ensuring the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production, to guarantee the workers’ right to a living wage, and to promote social justice,” Go said.

“This bill is not meant to add burden to our employers but to strike a balance as to what social justice means,” he said.

Go then appealed to the wealthier sectors to make a concerted effort to share their profits with those in need, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and support for the less fortunate.