Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1429 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A TWO HUNDRED PESOS (P200.00) DAILY WAGE INCREASE 
FOR MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), nearly 19 million Filipinos 
continue to live below the poverty threshold, many of whom are minimum wage earners struggling 
to meet the rising cost of basic needs. Despite their full-time labor, workers are often left with 
insufficient income for food, shelter, transportation, education, and healthcare—much less savings 
or security. 
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) defines a living wage as the 
income necessary for a family to meet their basic needs with enough allowance for savings and 
social protection. However, current minimum wages fall far below this benchmark. Inflation and 
the increasing prices of commodities and fuel have further diminished the real value of workers’ 
salaries, making daily survival a challenge for millions of Filipino families. 
While the Constitution guarantees the right to a living wage, many workers have never 
truly felt the security of this right. A Pulse Asia survey reveals that 50% of Filipinos consider a 
wage increase the most urgent national concern. The desire for economic progress remains 
unfulfilled for most, especially those in the private sector and vulnerable informal labor. 
July 7, 2025
11:33 am


This proposed measure seeks to mandate a reasonable and just increase in the minimum 
wage for workers in the private sector nationwide. It aims to bridge the gap between wages and 
the actual cost of living, thereby ensuring social justice and economic dignity for every Filipino 
worker. 
Improving wages is not just about economics—it is about human dignity, fairness, and the 
right of every Filipino to live decently and securely. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 1429 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A TWO HUNDRED PESOS (P200.00) DAILY WAGE INCREASE 
FOR MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Wage Hike for Minimum 
Wage Workers Act”. 
SECTION 2 Declaration of Policy. - It is a policy of the State to alleviate the living 
conditions of the ordinary Filipino through policies that provide for a decent and humane standard 
of living and improved quality of life, particularly of the working class by ensuring the right of 
labor to its just share in the fruits of production, to guarantee the workers' right to a living wage, 
and to promote social justice through the adoption of measures calculated to ensure the well-being 
and economic security of all the members of the community. 
SECTION 3. Minimum Wage Increase. - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the daily rate 
of all minimum wage workers in the private sector, regardless of employment status, including 
those in contractual and sub-contractual arrangements, whether agricultural or nonagricultural, 
shall be increased by Two hundred pesos (P200.00) per day. 
Nothing in this Act shall prevent the respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity 
Boards from granting additional increases to the workers and employees, as may be determined in 


accordance with their mandate under Republic Act No. 6727, otherwise known as the "Wage 
Rationalization Act', as amended. 
 
 SECTION 4. Incentives to Small Enterprises. - To assist in their compliance with the 
wage increase, small enterprises may avail of incentives from the Department of Labor and 
Employment (DOLE), subject to the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. 
 
 SECTION 5. Non-diminution of Other Benefits. - Nothing in this Act shall be construed 
to reduce any existing allowance and benefit of any form under existing laws, decrees, issuances, 
executive orders, and any contract or agreement between workers and employers. 
 
 SECTION 6. Existing Exemptions. - As provided by Republic Act No. 9178, also known 
as the "Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBE's) Act of 2002," the BMBEs shall be exempt 
from the coverage of the Minimum Wage Law. Further, as provided by Republic Act No. 6727, 
also known as the "Wage Rationalization Act," and relevant rules of the National Wages and 
Productivity Commission, the following establishments may apply for exemption from 
compliance with the minimum wage increase as provided by this Act: (a) retail or service 
establishments regularly employing not more than ten (10) workers; and (b) establishments 
adversely affected by natural calamities or human-induced disasters. 
 
SECTION. 7. Penalties. - Any person, corporation, trust, firm, partnership, association, or 
entity violating any provision of this Act shall be punished by a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) nor more than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or 
imprisonment of not less than two years nor more than four years, or both at the discretion of the 
Court: Provided, That if the violation is committed by a corporation, trust or firm, association or 
any other entity, the penalty of imprisonment shall be imposed upon the entity's responsible 
officers including the president, vice president, chief executive officer, general manager, managing 
director or partner. 
 
The employer concerned shall be ordered to pay an amount equivalent to double the unpaid 
benefits owing to the employees: Provided, That the payment of indemnity shall not absolve the 
employer from the criminal liability imposable under this Act: Provided, further, That any person 
convicted under this Act shall not be entitled to the benefits provided for under the Probation Law. 
 
SECTION. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOLE shall, in coordination with other relevant government agencies, 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
 


SECTION. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared invalid 
or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts of this act shall remain in full force and 
effect, and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected. 
   
SECTION. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with 
the provision of this Act is hereby repealed or amended accordingly.  
   
SECTION. 11. Effectivity. – this Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
   
Approved,