The Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) clarified that it is neither opposing nor advocating for the passage of the proposed wage hike law, emphasizing its role aas an implementing body rather than a policymaking entity.
Speaking at the Jobstreet Career Con 2025 in Pasay, DoLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma reiterated that the agency’s mandate is to enforce labor laws rather than comment on legislative proposals.
“I want to emphasize that it isn’t DoLE’s job to react to lawmakers’ proposals. If there are nuances or circumstances, we will be there to assist,” Laguesma said in Filipino.
He further explained, “We are not against it. We only provide possible scenarios regarding its implementation.”
The clarification comes in the wake of Speaker Martin Romualdez’s announcement that the House of Representatives will push for a bill mandating a P200 daily across-the-board wage increase for private sector workers.
If enacted, the measure would require all private businesses, regardless of size or industry, to comply with the wage hike. Employers who fail to do so could face penalties ranging from P50,000 to P100,000 or imprisonment of up to four years.
As the proposal moves forward in Congress, DoLE remains focused on its primary role — ensuring fair labor practices and assisting in the execution of laws that protect both workers and employers.