House Committee on Labor and Employment chair Ramon Revilla III joined labor leaders in formally seeking the support of Faustino Dy III for the swift passage of the proposed National Minimum Wage Bill, reinforcing calls for a fair and humane wage system nationwide.
Revilla said the meeting with Speaker Dy followed the committee-level approval of the measure. He underscored the need to consolidate leadership support within the House of Representatives of the Philippines to accelerate plenary deliberations and secure the bill’s enactment.
“Even if the committee has approved the proposed measure, it is important to strengthen the support of House leaders to fast-track efforts to ensure the welfare of workers, because the fight for a just wage is a fight for every Filipino family hoping for dignified employment,” Revilla said in a Facebook post.
During the visit, Revilla and labor leaders formally submitted a manifesto titled A Manifesto Calling for the Prioritization of Pro-Worker Legislation, expressing unified support for the National Minimum Wage Bill and urging House leadership to prioritize its passage.
Addressed to Speaker Dy, the manifesto — signed by workers, trade unionists and labor advocates from various sectors — cited rising prices, deepening inequality, low wages and insecure employment as continuing burdens on millions of Filipino workers.
“We strongly urge the passage of the National Minimum Wage Bill, which seeks to establish a fair and humane wage standard nationwide based on the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work,’ correct unjust regional wage disparities and strengthen local economies,” the manifesto read.
The coalition appealed to the Speaker to prioritize the measure on the House agenda and ensure its prompt deliberation, stressing that decisive action would help secure fair pay and meaningful economic protection for workers and their families.
Among the lawmakers backing the initiative were Raymund Adrian Salceda and Elijah San Fernando.
Signatories to the manifesto included representatives from KAMANGGAGAWA; the Council of Teachers and Staff of Universities and Colleges of the Philippines; Unified Filipino Service Workers; the Workers and Peasant Party of the Philippines; the National Federation of Labor Unions; the United Private Hospitals Union of the Philippines; and other labor and community-based organizations.
As committee chair, Revilla reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the measure.
“As chairperson of the committee, we will continue working closely with fellow legislators and the labor sector to realize our meaningful goal. The fight continues. A sufficient wage — now,” he said.
The proposed National Minimum Wage Bill seeks to establish a nationwide wage standard aimed at promoting wage equity, protecting workers’ dignity and addressing regional disparities, in line with the broader goal of strengthening social justice and inclusive economic growth under the 20th Congress.