Sen. Joel Villanueva. Photo courtesy of Joel Villanueva/Facebook.
With a Php 840 daily minimum wage for Metro Manila workers stalled in court, Senator Joel Villanueva is pushing for a broader change in how wages are set, arguing that regional rates should be anchored on what workers actually need to live decently.
Villanueva wants the government to adopt a legislated living wage standard while retaining regional wage-setting, a proposal contained in his Senate Bill No. 44, or the Living Wage Act.
The senator raised the issue during deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, where he questioned the court order blocking NCR Wage Order No. 27. The order would increase the capital region’s minimum wage from Php 755 to Php 840 per day.
Villanueva argued that Article 126 of the Labor Code expressly prohibits courts from issuing injunctions or temporary restraining orders against wage board proceedings. The Senate has also adopted a resolution questioning the court intervention.
Beyond the stalled NCR increase, Villanueva pointed to widening differences in pay between Metro Manila and nearby provinces. He cited workers in Bulacan who may opt to cross into the capital region to earn higher wages.
Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio Balisacan maintained that regional tripartite wage boards should continue determining minimum wages and cautioned against imposing a single nationwide rate.
Villanueva said his proposal does not necessarily require uniform wages across the country. Instead, he wants regional boards to use the cost of achieving a decent standard of living as their benchmark when setting rates.
“Importante na magkaisa po tayo sa direksyon ng pag-uusap tungkol sa living wage, dahil nakasaad ito sa ating saligang batas,” Villanueva said, citing the constitutional guarantee of a living wage for workers.