MANILA – Malacañang reiterated the government’s commitment to worker welfare amid growing calls for a more substantial nationwide wage hike, defending the recently approved ₱50 daily wage increase for Metro Manila as both a compassionate and economically viable move.
The increase, which takes effect on July 18, is the highest ever granted by the National Capital Region’s (NCR) Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB), bringing the minimum daily wage for non-agriculture workers from ₱645 to ₱695.
Presidential Communications Office’s Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that the wage hike is a result of careful evaluation, meant to provide immediate relief to workers while minimizing the risk of business closures and layoffs.
“Kung nagbigay po ngayon ang Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board ng ₱50 na wage hike, iyan po ang na-evaluate na maaaring ibigay sa ating mga manggagawa para maibsan po ang kahit kaunting hirap. Lumalabas po ito ay ₱1,300 per month,” Castro said.
She stressed that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has long been working to ease the burden on Filipino workers.
“Noon pa po natin sinasabi, gumagawa po talaga ng programa ang Pangulong Marcos Jr. para sa ikagagaan ng buhay ng bawat manggagawang Pilipino,” Castro added.
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the increase is expected to benefit approximately 1.2 million minimum wage earners in the National Capital Region.
The Palace also highlighted the administration’s broader labor agenda, including employment generation and foreign investment-driven job creation. Castro noted that over 170,000 jobs have been created through job fairs from 2022 to May 1, 2025, while $27 billion worth of foreign investments have led to the generation of 350,000 additional jobs nationwide.
Meanwhile, in response to growing demands for a ₱200 across-the-board wage hike, Castro urged caution and due diligence, citing the need to balance worker welfare with the sustainability of micro and small enterprises.
“Muli, pag-aaralan ito kung kakayanin ba talaga kasi kung magdudulot naman ito ng layoff dahil hindi kakayanin ng karamihang maliliit na mga negosyante, mas marami pong mahihirapang mga manggagawa dahil baka mawalan sila ng trabaho,” she explained.
“Kaya po, itong lahat ng ito ay pag-aaralan para sa ikabubuti po ng lahat,” Castro reiterated.
The wage hike decision comes amid intensifying labor sector clamor for livable wages and growing concern over inflation and the rising cost of basic goods./PN
