Hontiveros urges Senate to pass urgent wage hike bills

Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Senate to certify as urgent bills that seek to raise workers' wages due to rising living costs.

Hontiveros emphasized the need for immediate action, warning that delays could push more families into poverty and noted that minimum wages should keep up with rising prices.

The House of Representatives has approved a PHP200 daily wage increase for private sector workers on second reading, while the Senate passed a PHP100 daily wage hike earlier this year.

Senator Joel Villanueva also called for swift action to improve living standards for Filipino workers as the 19th Congress nears its end.

Hontiveros acknowledged MSME concerns about financial strain from wage hikes and urged government support to help businesses comply without suffering losses.

Lawmakers maintain that a fair and livable wage is crucial for economic stability and social equity in the Philippines.