By Macon Ramos-Araneta
Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. said a nationwide across-the-board wage hike is gaining ground in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He also lauded Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri for shepherding the passage of a P150-peso increase in the daily wages of workers in the private sector.
Revilla said he has been filing bills for legislated wage increases since his first term in the Senate.
According to Senate records, he filed SBN2179 for the 14th Congress; SBN1981 in the 15th Congress; SBN937 in 16th Congress; SBN71 in the 18th Congress; and SBN2018 in the 19th Congress.
He was the lone author in the 16th and 18th Congresses and has filed a proposal this Congress with Zubiri filing his own version of the measure.
“Our workers are the backbone of our economy,” he said. “If not for their industry and dedication to their job, no growth in our economy.”
“We owe them our country’s development.”
While the lawmaker realizes that a balancing of interests will need to be had, Revilla expressed his optimism that with the support of the Senate’s leadership, the legislated increase in wages will be approved.
“It is important that we have a living wage. Our workers have been longing for this. I am optimistic,” he further said.