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House committee approves P200 daily wage increase

PHOTO SHOWS workers at a construction site in Quezon City on Thursday. The House labor committee has approved a bill for a P200 across-the-board daily wage hike. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL B. PABALATE

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Chloe Mari A. Hufana and John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporters

A HOUSE of Representatives committee on Thursday approved a bill that seeks to grant a P200 across-the-board wage increase for private-sector workers, nudging the bill forward after it was mothballed for eight months.

The House labor committee unanimously approved an unnumbered substitute bill, consolidating three measures that seek to raise wages by P150 to P750.

“The House… deemed it necessary to propose a wage increase for our workers due to rising prices,” Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles, who heads the House labor body, told reporters in Filipino after the bill’s approval.

The power or mandate to pass laws belongs to both Houses of Congress,” Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma told BusinessWorld in a Viber message. “If the proposed wage hike bill becomes a law, the duty and obligation of the Labor department is to implement it.”

Minimum wages in the Southeast Asian nation are set by regional wage boards. But slow and meager increases amid rising prices have prompted lawmakers to push the legislated wage increase. The Senate approved a counterpart proposal for a P100 daily wage increase for private-sector workers in February last year.

“All employers in the private sector, whether agricultural or nonagricultural, regardless of capitalization and number of employees, shall pay their workers an across-the-board wage increase in the sum of P200 a day upon the effectivity of this act,” according to a copy of the bill.

The Labor department must inspect the payroll and financial records of Philippine companies to check compliance. Noncompliant employers face imprisonment of up to four years and a fine of as much as P100,000.

“The employer concerned shall be ordered to pay an amount equivalent to double the unpaid benefits owed to employees.”

The House labor committee pushed a P200 wage increase to boost 5 million minimum wage earners out of poverty, Deputy Speaker and Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, who authored the bill, said in a statement.

“At present, everyone is below the poverty threshold, except in the National Capital Region,” he told reporters in Filipino. “All regions will be over the threshold [once the bill is enacted].”

A family of five needed at least P13,873 a month to meet minimum basic food and nonfood needs in 2023, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. There are about 2.9 million Filipino families living in poverty.

Only 16% of all Filipino workers stand to benefit from the proposal, Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis, Jr., president of the Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECoP), told reporters via teleconference. “Let’s leave it to the Regional Wage Boards. We’re quite sad that it’s being pushed again now.”

“What needs to be known is that out of the 52 million workers in the labor market, only 16% would benefit from the legislated wage hike. The other 84% are from the informal sector,” he said in Filipino.

There were 49.54 million employed Filipinos in November 2024, according to latest government data.

Mr. Ortiz-Luis said businesses are at risk of shutting down if the wage hike order is signed into law. “There’s only one remedy — they’ll try to raise their prices if the market can handle it, reduce their workforce, or if they really can’t manage, they’ll just close down.”

“For the benefit of a few, we will sacrifice the economy,” he added.

Mr. Nograles said they are looking at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) that would be affected by the wage hike.

“That’s a separate matter because our bill is only about the wage increase,” he said in Filipino. “We need a separate law or policy to support MSMEs.”

Mr. Mendoza urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to certify the wage hike bill as urgent to fast-track its approval. Congress will adjourn for four months next week to give way for the 2025 midterm elections.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero said they would work with the House to refine the bill.

“Although we have only nine session days left, I welcome the openness of the House, at this time, in passing this Senate-initiated measure,” he told reporters in a Viber message. “I look forward to working with them on this.”

“I will instruct committee secretaries to monitor House hearings so the members of the Senate can be kept abreast [of developments],” he added.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board of the National Capital Region in July last year approved a P35 minimum wage hike for workers in Metro Manila, bringing the daily pay for nonagricultural workers to P645.

BETTER THAN NOTHING
This was way lower than the petitions filed by labor groups seeking monthly pay increases of P597 to P750.

Labor groups welcomed the House committee’s approval of the P200 wage hike, but said it is still far from a livable minimum wage.

“For too long, wages have been stagnant — stuck longer than EDSA traffic — while prices of basic goods like rice, gas and transportation including Social Security System and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. contributions continue to climb like they’re in a race we never signed up for,” Jose Sonny G. Matula, president of the Federation of Free Workers, said in a statement.

The labor group said it remains firm in seeking a “true living wage” under the 1987 Constitution —“one that ensures workers can live with dignity, provide for their families and keep up with rising costs.”

The proposed P200 wage increase is better than nothing, University of the Philippines Diliman School of Labor and Industrial Relations Assistant Professor Benjamin B. Velasco told BusinessWorld.

“While people will suspect that this is just electioneering by the House leadership, the labor movement should grab the opportunity to push its wage campaign and get ordinary workers on board and develop a movement,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“A P200 wage hike will be good for workers and the economy because it will boost consumer purchasing power and boost gross domestic product. Even big businesses and MSMEs will benefit,” he added, noting that the last across-the-board hike was in 1989, when the daily minimum wage was raised to P64 from P25.

Employers Confederation of the Philippines Governor Arturo C. Guerrero III said the wage hike is being pushed ahead of the midterm elections in May.

Wage hikes must go through the wage boards, he told BusinessWorld by telephone, noting that the Philippines has the second-highest daily minimum wage in Southeast Asia.

At least 14 wage boards issued daily wage increases of P21 to P75 for private sector workers in 2024, according to the Labor department.

Senator pushes raw ore export ban to spur processing

APEXMINES.COM

A PHILIPPINE senator on Thursday said a proposed export ban on raw ores would boost the country’s mineral processing capacity, responding to the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines’ concerns about potential mine closures and joblessness.

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” G. Ejercito told a news briefing the ban under a Senate-approved priority bill that seeks to rationalize the mining fiscal regime would lead to the construction of more mineral processing plants in the country.

“The rationale is for the mining firms to establish their processing plants because we want the finished product instead of just putting out raw materials for export,” he said in mixed English and Filipino.

“And if they process these (minerals) here, that will result in more employment and additional revenue. We patterned this after the Indonesian mining sector.”

The deputy majority floor leader said lawmakers would decide whether to keep the clause in a bicameral conference committee once the measure is passed on third reading.

The Senate on Monday approved on second reading Senate Bill No. 2826, which seeks to set up a five-tier margin-based royalty and windfall profit system for the mining industry, which is expected to raise the government’s share in mining profits.

Under the law, mining companies pay corporate income tax, excise tax, royalty, local business tax, real property tax and fees to indigenous communities.

“So, we’ll see if we can extend the time to set up their factories and processing plants to seven years instead of five, which the chamber thinks is too short,” Mr. Ejercito said.

The Chamber of Mines on Wednesday backed the bill’s approval but called on senators to scrap the raw ore export ban, saying it would lead to hundreds of thousands of Filipino workers losing their jobs.

The mining group said mining companies are unlikely to finish building their plants within five years, adding that the ban could disrupt mineral trading.

The bill calls for a five-tier margin-based royalty system ranging from 1% to 5%, while the five-tier windfall profit tax system will range from 1% to 10%. 

The House of Representatives approved its version of the bill in September.

Under House Bill No. 8937, large-scale miners inside mineral reservations must pay the government only 4% of their gross output, while the Senate version requires them to pay 5%.

The House version proposes an eight-tier margin-based royalty regime of 1.5% to 5% and a 10-tier windfall profit tax system of 1% to 10%.

Mr. Ejercito also pushed the construction of more power plants to address high power costs that mining companies are worried about. “I’m hoping that in the next three years of the administration, we can focus on infrastructure and energy.”

“We need more power plants, stable but cheap energy, and with this development (new mining fiscal regime), it is with further urgency that the government needs to act on this.”

The Department of Finance expects to generate P6.26 billion in additional annual revenue from the revised mining tax regime. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Senate administration bets keep dominance in SWS January poll

BW FILE PHOTO

CANDIDATES endorsed by Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., continue to lead in the latest senatorial survey conducted by Social Weather Stations (SWS), with Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo maintaining his position as the frontrunner.

The survey, commissioned by the Stratbase Group, found 45% of respondents would vote for Mr. Tulfo if the elections were held from Jan. 17 to 20. Former Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III followed in 2nd place with 38%, climbing from 5th place in December 2024.

The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,800 registered voters. It had a ±2.31% margin of error at the national level.

Senator Manuel M. Lapid emerged as the biggest gainer, securing 3rd-4th place (37%) in January from 11th place (23%) in December. He tied with Senator Christopher Lawrence T. Go, whose support also increased by 5% over the past month.

Former Senator Panfilo M. Lacson also climbed to 5th place with 35%, up from 7th in December.

Broadcaster Bienvenido T. Tulfo retained 6th place, while Senator Pilar Juliana S. Cayetano dropped to 7th-8th place from 3rd-4th place with 33%, now tied with former Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao.

Makati Mayor Mar-len Abigail S. Binay-Campos rose to 9th from 10th place, while Senator Ronald M. Dela Rosa gained momentum, rising to 10th place from 12th to 14th in the previous month.

Senator Ramon B. Revilla, Jr. registered the biggest decline, falling 10 spots to 11th-13th place (29%) from 2nd place (33%) in December. He is now tied with television host Wilfredo B. Revillame, who also dropped from 8th-9th place.

Former Senator Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan re-entered the winning circle, rising from 20% in December to 29% in January, tying with Mr. Revilla and Mr. Revillame.

The January poll also saw Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios Romualdez Marcos-Manotoc falling out of the top 12, down to 14th place with 28%. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

No backups if GAA unconstitutional

PRESIDENT FERDINAND R. MARCOS, JR. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday said his government will “shut down everything” if the Supreme Court (SC) rules in favor of a petition filed by his former executive secretary challenging the constitutionality of the 2025 national budget.

Mr. Marcos made the remark when asked whether his government has a contingency plan in the event the high court declares the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) unconstitutional.

“No, we shut down everything. I guess that’s what they want,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Cebu City.

“They want the government to cease working so their destabilization plan comes through,” he added in mixed English and Filipino.

Former Executive Secretary Victor B. Rodriguez, Davao Rep. Isidro T. Ungab and other petitioners on Tuesday filed a petition against the 2025 GAA before the SC, citing several violations of the Constitution including the supposed blank items in a bicameral conference committee report.

The House of Representatives, headed by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the Senate of the Philippines, represented by Senate President Francis G. Escudero, and Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin were named respondents in the petition. 

Mr. Marcos said the government has a “solid footing in terms of constitutionality” of the budget law.

“Well, the SolGen [Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra], of course, will be the one who will argue for the government, and he tells me — SolGen Menardo — that we are on a solid footing in terms of constitutionality,” he said.

“Anyway, it’s not for me to make the argument. We will let the SolGen make the argument before the Supreme Court and we are very confident that our case is strong,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Marcos assured that the 2025 GAA has no blank items.

“Just last month, I had to read 4,057 pages of the General Appropriations Act of 2025. Because I reviewed it, analyzed, and yes — in parts vetoed it,” he said in a speech at the 20th National Convention of Philippine Lawyers in Cebu City, based on a transcript from his office.

“I really am convinced that they simply do not exist because it is not allowed to exist. So, for those of you who think that the Presidency is just handshakes, photo ops, I assure you, that fine print is alive in my office as well.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Marcos to expedite airport projects

MEGAWIDE.COM.PH

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday vowed to fast-track airport improvement projects in central Philippines.

This, as he recognized Visayan regions for contributing significantly to the country’s growth output.

“We are also implementing projects to improve the airports of Bohol, of Dumaguete City, of Iloilo, Antique, Siquijor, [and] Tacloban,” he said in a lunch meeting with Visayas governors and officials of the ruling party One Cebu at the Cebu Provincial Capitol, based on a transcript from his office.

“We are implementing road and bridge projects, improving the connectivity in Panay, Guimaras and Negros; Bohol; Siquijor; Biliran; Northern Samar; Eastern Samar; Samar; Leyte; and Southern Leyte,” he added.

Central Visayas was the fastest-growing region in the country in 2023, with a 7.3% expansion. It was followed by Western Visayas, which grew by 7.2%. Eastern Visayas, meanwhile, ranked sixth with a 6.4% growth.

The President said that Western and Eastern Visayas surpassed the country’s overall gross domestic product growth for the same year.

“This growth supports the development of industries, creates jobs and livelihoods for our people,” he said. 

Later in the day, Mr. Marcos inaugurated the Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s alternate runway, which he dubbed as the first and only parallel runway in the Philippines.

Mr. Marcos said the alternate runway is also a preparation for “critical repairs” of the airport’s first runway starting May.

Last year, the airport catered to 8.5 million domestic passengers and 2.8 million international passengers.

By 2028, the parallel runway will be used simultaneously with the original runway to ensure “greater efficiency and capacity,” in keeping with the “demands of a rapidly evolving and growing aviation industry,” the President said.

“With two runways running full-time, the airport will now be — will have the capacity, the capability to cater up to 18 million passengers a year,” he added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Cyberattacks may rise before polls

FLATART-FREEPIK

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is expecting to see increased cyberattacks this year as threat actors are expected to take advantage of emerging technologies ahead of the 2025 midterm elections. 

“This year is an election year for the Philippines. Last year was an election year for the US, and these tools were utilized. We would expect no less here, those tools would also be utilized,” Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy said in a forum on Wednesday. 

Mr. Uy said that the sophistication of deepfake and artificial intelligence makes it difficult for the public to discern misinformation.

He said the DICT is now in collaboration with many organizations to combat these kinds of threats that are also meant to misdirect the public.

Last year, the global cybersecurity company Kaspersky urged Filipinos to step up cybersecurity measures and digital privacy ahead of the 2025 midterm elections due to projected increase in cyberattacks.

According to Kaspersky, risks of cyberattacks such as phishing, misinformation campaigns, and hacking attempts usually increase during campaign periods, noting cyber attackers will attempt to send fraudulent e-mails or messages disguised as campaign materials to try and infiltrate devices, and install malware.

Attackers are also seen taking advantage of social media platforms to collect personal data that can be later used and exploited for targeted breaches.

Further, Mr. Uy also urged the public to be on alert against the use of international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catchers. These IMSI catchers are commonly used in text scams and threats, as they mimic cell towers. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Teacher education reform pushed

DEPED.GOV.PH

RECOGNIZING the urgent need for better teacher training, the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) emphasized that skilled educators are essential for enhancing student learning outcomes.

PBEd Executive Director Justine B. Raagas said in a statement on Thursday that teachers must continuously be upskilled and reskilled to ensure that the education system remains responsive to changing needs.

“Our teachers are the most important investment for a more adaptive education system,” she added.

Citing a recent report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education, PBEd said there is a troubling misalignment between teacher training programs and the actual demands of schools.

Despite the popularity of education degrees, studies indicate that 62% of high school teachers are teaching subjects outside their college majors, particularly in the sciences, it added.

To address these challenges, PBEd urges the prioritization of new proposals from the Teacher Education Council (TEC) aimed at modernizing preservice teacher education.

These reforms focus on expanding experiential learning opportunities from the first year of college, emphasizing subject specialization to reduce teacher-subject mismatches, and strengthening early childhood education training for kindergarten to grade 3 educators.

PBEd further called for enhanced data collection efforts to better understand teachers’ actual needs and recommended improvements to the licensing process to ensure that future educators are well informed and better prepared for their roles. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Probe on alleged wasted meds, supplies eyed

STOCK PHOTO | Image by aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik

A CONGRESSMAN on Thursday urged the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged P18.7 billion worth of wasted medical supplies and medicines by the Health department.

In a statement, Party-list Rep. Eduardo J. Villanueva, Jr. said he filed House Resolution (HR) No. 2127 in December last year to look into the P85 million, P7.43 billion, and P11.18 billion worth of “expired, nearly-expired, damaged, overstocked, or undistributed” medicines and medical supplies under the Health department, according to audit reports in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.

“The increasing trend of unutilized medical supplies in recent years is very alarming and still haunts us. While millions of Filipinos struggle to access affordable medicines and healthcare, billions in public funds are being wasted due to inefficiencies,” he said.

“With limited fiscal space, we cannot afford to waste even a single peso,” he added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

P9.8-M smuggled cigarettes confiscated in Davao

BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) on Thursday said it intercepted smuggled cigarettes worth P9.86-million smuggled cigarettes in the Port of Davao.

In a statement, the BoC has uncovered the 251 master cases, each containing 50 reams of illicit cigarettes concealed inside a fake courier truck and discovered during a checkpoint operation along a major road leading to Davao City.

“The smuggled goods were hidden among blue crates and personal effects in an attempt to avoid detection,” it said.

BoC said this is part of BoC’s commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s orders to intensify anti-smuggling efforts, promote regional economic stability, and safeguard government revenues from illicit trade. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

2 NPAs killed in Butuan clash

COTABATO CITY — Two members of the New People’s Army (NPA) were killed in an encounter with soldiers in Barangay Los Angeles in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte on Tuesday.

Officials of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division and Brig. Gen. Christopher N. Abrahano, director of the Police Regional Office-13, separately confirmed on Thursday the incident, which left two guerillas dead, both under the NPA’s Northeastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC).

Leaders of the NPA’s NEMRC are wanted for high-profile criminal cases, including extortion and large-scale trafficking of narcotics, that are pending in different courts in provinces and cities in Mindanao’s adjoining Regions 10 and 13.

Local officials, among them members of the multi-sector Butuan City Peace and Order Council, said the gunfight erupted when the two NPAs and more than ten companions opened fire on personnel of the 29th Infantry Battalion approaching their location in Sitio Dinakpan in Barangay Los Angeles from two directions.

Two teams of soldiers were dispatched to Sitio Dinakpan, a secluded area in Barangay Los Angeles, after hapless villagers complained about the presence of armed men in the area, collecting from them money and food at gunpoint. — John Felix M. Unson

SGA beats Amman Utd to sweep Group A of Dubai basketball tilt

MALACHI RICHARDSON — SGA

STRONG Group Athletics (SGA) drubbed Amman United of Jordan, 84-75, to complete a group sweep in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship on Thursday at the Al Nasr Club.

American import Malachi Richardson led the way this time around as the Philippine contingent wiped out Group A with a 4-0 slate en route to the quarterfinals.

SGA, eyeing to avenge its runner-up finish last year, takes on Sharjah SC of the host United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a knockout set-to at 1 a.m. (Manila time) on Friday for a seat in the Final Four against either Tunisia or Amman United anew.

Mr. Richardson, after taking a backseat in the first three games, broke out with 24 points on six triples in only 29 minutes of play to banner SGA’s gritty victory.

Chris McCullough scattered 19 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals while local ace Rhenz Abando had 12 points.

Head coach Charles Tiu hardly needed the services of former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, who played only five minutes for two points, three rebounds and a block in preparation for the knockout rounds.

SGA traded haymakers with Amman in the first half before breaking away in the third quarter bridging the payoff period, where it built a 70-53 gap capped by Mr. Abando’s thunderous slam on its way to the win.

Prior to Amman, SGA beat the UAE national team, 99-91, host Al Nasr, 99-87 and Lebanon’s Beirut First, 85-78.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga Valientes (0-4) bowed to Tunisia, 95-59, to finish winless in Group B en route to elimination.

Sam Deguara (16), Nic Cabañero (14) and Prince Caperal (13) were the only bright spots for the Valientes, who previously folded to Sharjah SC, 97-82, Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, 107-84, and Lebanon’s Sagesse, 90-65. — John Bryan Ulanday

Magnolia needs to win vs Meralco to earn KO playoffs for last berth of PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals

Games on Friday
(PhilSports Arena)
5 p.m. – Meralco vs Magnolia
7:30 p.m. – TNT vs Rain or Shine

NEEDING to win its assignment on the final day of the eliminations just to earn the right to play in a KO for the eighth and last berth to the playoffs, this is unfamiliar territory for perennial contender Magnolia.

But the Hotshots (5-6) are in no mood to brood.

Instead, the runners-up in last season’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup are glad to still have the opportunity to catch NLEX (6-6) at No. 8 on Friday when they face quarters-assured Meralco (7-4) at the PhilSports Arena.

The moment of truth happens at 5 p.m. before the tussle between TNT (8-3) and Rain or Shine (ROS) (6-5).

Carry out this mission successfully and the Hotshots will dispute the No. 8 seat against either NLEX or ROS, depending on how the Elasto Painters fare against the Tropang Giga in their 7:30 p.m. tiff.

If the E-Painters take care of business against TNT, they claim the No. 6 seed at 7-5 while leaving NLEX and Magnolia in a you-or-me for eighth and the right to face No. 1 and twice-to-beat NorthPort (9-3) in the quarters.

But if ROS falls to the Tropang Giga, it’s the Road Warriors who advance as seventh seed due to superior quotient in a three-way tie at 6-6, pulling down Magnolia and the E-Painters to a sudden death for the last quarters spot.

However, either of these scenarios won’t materialize if the Hotshots yield to the Bolts, which at 5-7 sends them into the exits alongside deposed champion San Miguel (5-7), Blackwater (3-9), Phoenix (3-9) and Terrafirma (1-11).

Though the Bolts are through to the quarters as the fifth seed regardless of what happens versus Magnolia, the reigning Philippine Cup titlists want to go the next round against No. 4 Ginebra (8-4) with a winning feeling.

“We’re using this game to be playoff-ready,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “It would be good if we can get a win entering the playoffs but it’s going to be hard. Magnolia plays very physical. They’re coming off a good, hard-earned win over Eastern (107-78 last Sunday) when they left no stone unturned.”

The Bolts are out for a bounceback after sustaining an 87-91 loss to the Gin Kings last Wednesday with Akil Mitchell sidelined by back spasms. — Olmin Leyba

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