House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro, together with ACT Teachers Party-list Rep.-elect Antonio Tinio, welcomed the approval of the P200 legislated wage hike at the House of Representatives but stressed that the increase remains far from the P1,200 daily living wage needed by Filipino workers. The two teacher-solons also warned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. against vetoing the measure, saying such an action would further isolate him from the Filipino people.
“Bagamat isang hakbang pasulong ang P200 wage hike na ito, hindi pa rin nito natutugunan ang lehitimong panawagan ng mga manggagawa para sa isang makataong sahod na sapat upang mabuhay nang disente. A living wage of P1,200 per day is what our workers truly need,” Rep. France Castro stated.
Rep.-elect Antonio Tinio amplified this sentiment, pointing out that the P200 wage hike is a compromise that does not fully address the economic hardships faced by workers. “While we welcome this measure, it is still far from enough. Workers have been demanding a living wage for years, and the P200 increase is just a small step toward that goal,” he said.
The legislators decried the opposition of big business groups to the wage hike and criticized them for prioritizing profits over workers’ rights.
“Mahiya naman ang malalaking negosyante. Tumututol sila sa P200 wage increase habang sila naman ay nakinabang ng bilyon-bilyon mula sa CREATE law. These corporations have already reaped massive tax cuts, yet they refuse to support even a minimal wage adjustment for their workers,” Castro said.
Tinio added, “Ang kanilang pagtutol ay malinaw na nagpapakita na mas mahalaga sa kanila ang tubo kaysa sa kapakanan ng kanilang mga manggagawa. Workers have been the backbone of their businesses, yet they continue to deny them a just share of the wealth they help create.”
The two lawmakers also slammed President Marcos Jr.’s statement that the wage hike needs “further study,” calling it a delaying tactic that disregards the urgent needs of workers.
“Napakatagal nang nagtitiis ang ating mga manggagawa sa napakababang sahod. The wage boards have consistently failed to deliver justice for workers. Hindi na dapat patagalin pa ang pagbibigay ng makatarungang sahod,” Castro emphasized.
Tinio warned the President against a potential veto of the bill, saying, “If President Marcos vetoes this measure, he will be further isolating himself from the Filipino people. It will be a clear message that his administration stands with big business and not with workers who are struggling to make ends meet.”
They called on Congress to speed up the passage of the bill and ensure that workers receive immediate relief.
“Kompromiso na nga ang P200 wage hike na ito dahil malayo ito sa tunay na kailangan ng mga manggagawa. Still, it is a necessary step forward. Congress must act swiftly to pass this measure into law, and the President must sign it immediately. Any further delay will only prolong the suffering of our workers,” Castro concluded.#
