President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will thoroughly review the possible economic effects of the proposed ₱200 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers to ensure a balance between workers' welfare and business sustainability.
"We will look at the economic implications of this and how to resolve this with the opinion of the wage boards, since the wage boards are also the creations of Congress," the President said in a statement read by Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a briefing on Thursday.
Castro delivered the President's message in response to questions about whether he will sign the wage hike bill once it is passed by both the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Palace Press Officer emphasized that President Marcos remains committed to helping Filipino workers, while ensuring that decisions made are practical and sustainable for the economy.
"Nais po ng Pangulo na ibigay kung ano po ang makakabuti sa manggagawang Pilipino. Titingnan ang lahat ng aspeto at ang concerns ng lahat ng stakeholders," Castro said.
The House of Representatives approved House Bill No. 11376 on its third and final reading last Wednesday, with 171 lawmakers voting in favor, one against, and none abstaining.
It can be recalled that the Senate had earlier passed its version of the measure—Senate Bill No. 2534—which proposes a ₱100 increase in the daily minimum wage.
If signed into law, this will be the first legislated nationwide wage hike since the passage of the Wage Rationalization Act in 1989.
Interviewed during Damdaming Bayan on Friday, Senator JV Ejercito emphasized the urgency of signing the proposed law amid the rising prices of goods.
"Kahit papaano, kung idadagdag po natin 'yan sa pang-araw-araw na sweldo, siguro mga ₱3,000 a month din po 'yan. Malaking tulong," Ejercito said.
Ejercito also expressed support for the Congress-approved ₱200 wage hike for private sector workers. However, he stressed the need to assess its possible economic impact.
"Kung maibibigay natin 'yung sa Kamara na ₱200, bakit hindi po? Kaya lang, we have to conduct an assessment—yung economic impact po nito. Malamang, hindi kayanin, lalo na ng small and medium-scale businesses," he asserted.
Just last Tuesday, President Marcos met with labor leaders in Malacañang where he reiterated his commitment to defending workers' rights and promoting their welfare across the country.
