City Council calls Congress to act on wage reform calls

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has thrown its weight behind the growing national clamor for a legislated living wage by approving a resolution filed by Councilor Sisinio  Andales that calls on Congress to enact a law ensuring Filipino workers earn enough to meet the real cost of living.

The measure insists that wages should not be just subsistence to provide families with dignity, health, education, and meaningful participation in society, viewing the issue as a constitutional obligation under Article XIII, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution.

Andales’ resolution argues that the current system of regional wage boards has failed to keep pace with inflation and the rising costs of food, housing, healthcare, and education.

Recent wage orders, such as the 85% wage increase of the National Capital Region (NCR), have provided temporary relief but remain fragmented and unequal, leaving workers in poorer regions further behind.

The resolution will be transmitted to the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Department of Labor and Employment, and the National Wages and Productivity Commission.

The council’s move coincides with heightened labor unrest in Cebu.

Late last week, progressive groups including Partido Manggagawa, CENTRO, Paglaum Komunidad, and PM Kabataan staged a rally outside the Department of Labor and Employment office in Cebu City.

Protesters demanded immediate action on petitions for a P100 across-the-board emergency wage increase and a P1,200 daily minimum wage, arguing that current rates of P500–p540 in Cebu fall far short of the estimated family living wage of over P1,200 per day.

They accused the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7) of delaying relief and urged the courts to resolve pending labor cases. The rally was peaceful but stressed the urgency of wage reform.

Nationally, wage disparities remain stark, with Metro Manila’s minimum wage at P695 per day, while workers in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region earn only P411 accordingly.

Independent estimates from IBON Foundation place the family living wage at P1,218 daily, highlighting the gap between nominal wages and the actual cost of living.

Congress is currently deliberating House Bill 5678, which seeks to establish a national minimum wage floor, and House Bill 2477, which proposes institutionalizing the living wage as the benchmark for wage-setting in line with International Labor Organization standards. — (FREEMAN)