The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) on Thursday called on Congress to immediately start hearings and swiftly pass the P200 legislated wage hike, citing a June 2025 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that 49% of Filipino families consider themselves poor.
In a statement, the labor group said nearly half of Filipino families openly acknowledging their poverty should serve as a wake-up call to lawmakers.
“We trust that the House Committee on Labor and Employment, led by Chairperson Jolo Revilla, will urgently tackle, approve, and transmit the P200 wage hike to the plenary,” said TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza, noting that the measure was already approved on third reading during the 19th Congress.
Mendoza echoed President Marcos’ 2025 SONA, stating that positive economic indicators mean little if Filipinos are still burdened by poverty.
Despite low inflation and falling unemployment, he said, self-rated poverty remains high.
He urged the House supermajority to prioritize the wage hike, calling it the top demand of the working class and essential for inclusive growth.
