THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday welcomed the proposal for the establishment of a uniform national minimum wage rate in the country in the event that such a law is passed by Congress.
In a phone interview, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said he is not opposing the House Bill (HB) No. 2599, or the proposed National Minimum Wage Act of 2025, as it is not part of his mandate.
“Refiling and filing of new bills, including wage hike, is within the power of our legislative branch. That’s their mandate,” said Laguesma.
“If any proposed legislation, whatever be the subject matter, becomes a law, it is the duty of the Executive Department, in this case the DOLE, to implement the same,” he added.
On Wednesday, the Makabayan bloc filed HB No. 2599, which seeks to establish a national minimum wage that will be applicable to all businesses regardless of location, size, or industry classification.
The proposed law also seeks to abolish the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards, which currently set minimum wage rates in their respective regions.
In a separate statement, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said it is strongly supporting the bill filed by the Makabayan bloc as it will provide the workers the long-sought decent wages.
“The filing of House Bill 2599 is a step towards ending this rotten system, and achieving an equal and living minimum wage for all workers everywhere in the Philippines,” said KMU.
