A labor coalition in Western Visayas has filed a petition before the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-6) seeking a P250 increase in daily minimum wages, citing rising living costs and recent global oil price shocks.
The petition was formally submitted on April 30 by United Labor-Panay, accompanied by a protest action joined by allied organizations.
The group said the proposed increase is necessary to cushion workers from inflationary pressures, which they argue have worsened in recent months amid heightened tensions in the Middle East that contributed to global fuel price volatility.
At present, the daily minimum wage in Western Visayas stands at P550.
United Labor contends that the current rate falls significantly below the estimated family living wage, which labor advocates place at over P1,000 per day.
The coalition argued that wage earners have been struggling with the rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare, and education even before the latest spike in oil prices.
Labor leaders also cited the declining purchasing power of wages, noting that real income growth has not kept pace with inflation over the years.
They pointed to historical comparisons showing that the effective value of wages has seen limited improvement since the implementation of the Wage Rationalization Act in 1989, which decentralized wage-setting through regional boards.
Beyond the immediate petition, the group reiterated broader calls for a national minimum wage, reforms to the wage-setting mechanism, and stronger government intervention to support both workers and small businesses.
United Labor said wage subsidies and tax relief should also be considered for micro and small enterprises to help them absorb higher labor costs without compromising operations.
The group maintained that increasing workers’ purchasing power could stimulate local economic activity by boosting demand for goods and services.
The RTWPB-6 has yet to issue a formal response to the petition.
The filing adds to growing nationwide debates over wage adequacy, labor protections, and the government’s role in addressing the cost-of-living pressures faced by Filipino workers.IMT
