TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
)
)
)
SENATE
209
25
-7 P12:(11
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A TWO HUNDRED PERSOS (P200.00) DAILY MINIMUM 
WAGE INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In a nation where millions of workers toii daily only to bring home wages 
insufficient for basic survival, the urgency of increasing the daily minimum wage 
cannot be overstated. It is not soieiy a matter of iabor policy, more so, it is a question 
of justice, equity, and human dignity. Ensuring that workers are paid fairly is essentiai 
to addressing deep-rooted economic disparities and fulfiliing the constitutional promise 
of a more just and humane society.
As stated in Articie XIII, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution, "The Congress shali 
give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the 
right of ail the people to human dignity, reduce sodai, economic, and poiiticai 
inequaiities, and remove cuiturai inequities by equitabiy diffusing wealth and political 
power for the common good."
In 2024, the estimated daiiy living wage for a family of five in the National 
Capital Region (NCR) is approximateiy Pl,205.1 In contrast, the prevaiiing minimum 
wage in NCR stands at P645 per day for non-agricuiture sectors and P608 for 
agricuiture, service or retaii, and manufacturing sectors. In regions outside NCR, 
minimum wages are even lower—ranging between P350 and P450, depending on the 
area.
This wide gap means that miilions of workers across the country earn far below 
what is necessary to meet essential needs such as food, shelter, transportation, and 
healthcare. In 2023, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that over 17.54 
miilion Filipinos were considered poor—highlighting the urgent need to address income 
inadequacy.2
1 IBON Foundation. NCR Family Living Wage, as of October 2024.
2 Philippine Statistics Authority. Percentage of Filipino Families Classified as Poor Declined to 10.9 
percent in 2023.
1


This bill proposes to increase the daily rate of minimum wage workers in the 
private sector, regardless of employment status, including those in contractual and 
subcontractual arrangements, whether agricultural or non- agricultural, by two 
hundred (P200) pesos.
Increasing the minimum wage leads to more food on the table, money to buy 
school supplies for the children, and transportation fare to get to work. This bill is for 
the workers who continue to struggle with the high cost of goods, transportation, and 
services.
In view of the forgoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS 1 
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
)
)
)
SENATE
209
25 JUL-7 Pi2 ‘01
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A TWO HUNDRED PERSOS (P200.00) DAILY MINIMUM 
WAGE INCREASE FOR EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in Congress 
assembied:
1 
SECTION 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known as the "P200 Daily Minimum
2 
Wage Increase Act of 2025".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to alleviate the living
4 
conditions of the ordinary Filipino through policies that provide for a decent and
5 
humane standard of living and improved quality of life, particularly of the working
6 
class by ensuring the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production, to
7 
guarantee the workers' right to a living wage, and to promote social justice through
8 
the adoption of measures calculated to ensure the well-being and economic security
9 
of all the members of the community.
10 
Sec. 3. Wage Increase. -The daily rate of all 3 minimum wage workers in the
11 
private sector, regardless of employment status, including those in contractual and
12 
subcontractual arrangements, whether agricultural or non- agricultural, shall be
13 
increased by two hundred pesos (P200.00) upon the effectivity of this Act. Nothing in
14 
this Act shall prevent the respective Regional Tripartite Wages 9 and Productivity
15 
Boards to grant additional increases to the workers and employees on the basis of
16 
their determination pursuant to Republic Act No. 6727, otherwise known as the "Wage
17 
Rationalization Act", as amended.
18 
Sec. 4. Correction of Wage Distortion. - Where a wage distortion occurs as a
19 
result of the increase in minimum wage under this Act, the employer and the union,
1


1 
or the employer and the workers, in the absence of a union, shall negotiate to correct
2 
the distortion in accordance with the provisions of Article 124 of Presidential Decree
3 
No. 442 or the "Labor Code of the Philippines", as amended, and other existing laws,
4 
rules and regulations.
5 
Sec. 5. Non-ChargeabHity of Prior Increases. - No wage increase shall be
6 
credited as compliance with the increase prescribed herein unless expressly provided
7 
under valid collective bargaining agreements: Provided, That such wage increase was
8 
granted in anticipation of the minimum wage increase under this Act: Provided,
9 
further. That where such increase is less than the prescribed increase under this Act,
10 
the employer shall pay the difference. Such increases shall not include anniversary
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wage increases, merit wage increases and those resulting from the regularization or
12 
promotion of employees.
13 
Sec. 6. Non-Diminution of Other Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be
14 
construed to reduce any existing allowance and benefit of any form under existing
15 
laws, decrees, issuances, executive orders, and any contract or agreement between
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workers and employers.
17 
Sec. 7. Inspection by the Department of Labor and Empioyment (DOLE). - The
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DOLE shall conduct inspection of payroll and other financial records kept by the
19 
company or business to determine whether the workers are paid the prescribed
20 
minimum wage increase and other benefits granted by law. The said inspection may
21 
take place at any time of the day or night, whenever work is being undertaken. In
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unionized companies, the DOLE inspectors shall always be accompanied by the
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president or any responsible officer of the recognized bargaining unit or of interested
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union in the conduct of the inspection.
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In non- unionized companies, establishments or businesses, the inspection
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should be carried out in the presence of a workers' representative.
27 
Sec. 8. Penaities. - Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership,
28 
association or entity violating any provision of this Act shall be punished by a fine of
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not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred
30 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) plus moral damages for each affected worker and the
31 
costs of litigation including attorney's fees, or imprisonment of not less than two (2)
32 
years nor more than four (4) years, or both at the discretion of the court: Provided,


1 
That if the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, association or any
2 
other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed upon the entity's
3 
responsible officers including, but not limited to, the president, vice president, chief
4 
executive officer, general manager, managing director or partner.
5 
The employer concerned shall be ordered to pay an amount equivalent to
6 
double the unpaid benefits owing to the employees: Provided, That the payment of
7 
indemnity shall not absolve the employer from the criminal liability imposable under
8 
this Act: Provided, further. That any person convicted under this Act shall not be
9 
entitled to the benefits provided for under the Probation Law.
10 
In case a fine and/or indemnity is decreed by the National Labor Relations
11 
Commission (NLRC) against person/s who violated the provisions of this Act and
12 
cannot be immediately satisfied because of the refusal to pay, or in case of the
13 
unavailability or inadequacy of funds, the bank deposits, financial interests and other
14 
personal property not capable of manual delivery in the possession or control of third
15 
parties of the owner in case of sole proprietorship or the assets of the corporation,
16 
association or any other entity, shall be garnished. If such properties are not enough,
17 
movable, and immovable properties may be levied to fully satisfy the imposed fines
18 
and/or indemnities.
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Failure on the part of any corporation, trust or firm, partnership, association,
20 
or any other entity to comply with the provisions of this Act shall be a ground for non-
21 
renewal of business permits.
22 
Sec. 9. Construction in Favor of Labor. - All doubts in the implementation and
23 
interpretation of the provisions of this Act, including its implementing rules and
24 
regulations, shall be resolved in favor of labor.
25 
Sec. 10. Impiementing Ruies and Regulations. - The Secretary of Labor and
26 
Employment shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
27 
implementation of this Act.
28 
Sec. 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
29 
unconstitutional, the remainder thereof not otherwise affected shall remain in full force
30 
and effect.


1 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
2 
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
3 
are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
4 
Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days
5 
following the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a
6 
newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,