Former Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri stated that President Bongbong Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be a “slam dunk” or a “home run” if the 19th Congress passes the P100 legislated daily minimum wage hike bill.
Zubiri emphasized the positive impact this would have on millions of Filipino minimum wage earners.
Zubiri has called on Senate President Chiz Escudero to advocate for the bill in the House of Representatives, urging swift action on the measure currently pending in the chamber.
“Many millions of workers would not only be employed but happily employed,” Zubiri remarked during his interpellation on the counter-SONA delivered by Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel.
Highlighting the low minimum wage rates, especially in Mindanao, Zubiri stressed the importance of addressing these issues to alleviate the frustrations of Filipino workers.
He referenced surveys showing increased self-rated poverty and the persistent concerns over high prices of goods and low wages.
Zubiri criticized the recent minimal wage increases approved by regional wage boards, describing them as insufficient.
He pointed out that in Metro Manila, the additional wage of P35 is not enough to buy a kilogram of rice, and in Mindanao, minimum wages remain below P400.
Zubiri urged Congress to act on the legislated wage hike, challenging lawmakers to pass even higher increases if deemed necessary.
“If they want to pass a P200 minimum wage hike, let’s do it. But not to act on it is a big slap on the face of all our laborers,” he declared.
The Senate has already approved the P100 daily minimum wage increase on third and final reading, but it has yet to progress in the House.
Zubiri highlighted the higher costs of living in Mindanao compared to Metro Manila, including electricity and food prices, to further argue the need for a legislated wage hike.
He advocated for a standardized wage floor, similar to practices in Europe and the United States, to ensure fair wages across the country.
“And yet, the regional wage boards have not acted on these petitions requested by our kababayans … I think, now is the time to act on a legislated wage hike to put a floor on the (amount) of wages just like what they do in other countries like Europe and the United States,” Zubiri explained.
