The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) is pressing lawmakers to convene a special session to fast-track measures granting a ₱200 increase in the daily minimum wage and a ₱5,000 monthly subsidy for workers.
TUCP Party-list Representative Raymond Mendoza said both chambers of Congress must act decisively to ease the mounting economic burden on Filipino workers.
He explained that the subsidy could be funded through portions of the contingency and calamity allocations in the 2026 national budget, along with savings from scaled-down hosting of upcoming ASEAN events. The measure is expected to benefit around five million minimum wage earners.
Mendoza rejected the currently proposed ₱1,500 monthly subsidy, calling it inadequate.
“Hanggat maaari, ayaw at hindi namamalimos ang manggagawang Pilipino, pero anong mabibili ng singkwenta pesos?” he said, stressing that the amount translates to only ₱50 per day.
He emphasized that the ₱5,000 subsidy would serve as temporary relief while Congress deliberates on the legislated ₱200 daily wage increase, particularly as fuel prices continue to surge.
“As diesel prices threaten to reach as high as P170 per liter, it becomes increasingly inevitable that its knock-on effects will be felt across the economy, from fuel to electricity and ultimately to the prices of all goods and services,” Mendoza warned.
The lawmaker also criticized regional wage boards, accusing them of failing to deliver meaningful adjustments despite clear economic pressures.
“Walang ginawa ang bulok at palpak na regional wage boards kundi maglabas ng umento kuno na napakaliit, halos wala nang halaga bago pa makarating sa manggagawa. Mas masahol, tila natutulog sa pansitan ang mga wage boards habang nagtatago sa barya-baryang wage orders kahit na nasa gitna tayo ng krisis na malinaw na ‘supervening event’ kung saan hindi lang puwede, kundi obligadong magbigay ng agarang umento,” he said.
TUCP underscored the urgency of government intervention, warning that without immediate action, rising fuel costs and inflation will continue to erode the purchasing power of Filipino workers.