House approves P200 increase in minimum wage
The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the bill on its third and final reading, granting a P200 increase in the daily minimum wage for workers in the private sector.
The House approved the measure with 171 yes votes, one no vote, and zero abstentions during Wednesday's plenary session.
House Assistant Minority Leader Arlene Brosas of the Gabriela party-list said the increase, which would be the first in 36 years, was something that workers have long deserved.
'Now is the time to finally break the long years of legislative inaction. Bagama't kapos ang P200 na umento para abutin ang nakabubuhay na sahod, signipikanteng hakbang na ang pagpasa nito para iusad ang usapin ng sahod sa bulwagang ito,' Brosas, one of the authors of the measure," Brosas said.
'Kailangang ituloy-ituloy ang pagpasa dito hanggang pirmahan ito ng Pangulo,' she added.
Cavite Rep. Jolo Revilla, also an author of the measure, said the increase will be followed by similar measures that will alleviate the plight of the workers.
"This is just the beginning of uplifting the lives of our people," Revilla said.
The House version of the legislated wage hike offers a higher increase than the P100 approved by the Senate.
The House and the Senate will have to reconcile the differences in a bicameral conference committee before transmitting the enrolled bill to Malacañang for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature to become a law. –NB, GMA Integrated News
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