Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC G. YAP 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Philippine Constitution upholds the right of every worker to a living wage and 
mandates the State to promote social justice and protect labor. However, despite this 
constitutional guarantee, millions of Filipino workers continue to receive wages that 
fall short of meeting their basic needs. The Department of Labor and Employment 
reports the minimum wage in the National Capital Region stands at ₱608.00 - 
₱645.00 per day, while rates in other regions remain significantly lower, with some 
provinces reporting daily minimum wages as low as ₱350. These wages are far from 
the estimated daily living wage of ₱1,200.00 to ₱1,500.00 for a family of five, as 
reported by IBON Foundation. The gap between actual wages and the cost of living 
continues to widen, leaving many working Filipinos struggling to survive. 
This bill seeks to address that reality by mandating a ₱200.00 daily wage increase for 
all minimum wage workers in the private sector, regardless of employment status, 
industry, or region. This includes workers under contractual and sub-contractual 
arrangements, as well as those in the agricultural and informal sectors. To ensure 
that small enterprises are not unduly burdened, the bill provides for incentives 
through the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), to help them comply 
with the wage hike. It also respects existing exemptions under laws such as the 
Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) Act and the Wage Rationalization 
Act, recognizing that certain small businesses and disaster-affected enterprises may 
need additional consideration. Moreover, the bill affirms that no existing benefit, 
such as transportation or meal allowances, shall be diminished or substituted in lieu 
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of the wage increase. This ensures that the ₱200.00 increase is an addition, not a 
replacement to workers’ current earnings and entitlements. 
To promote compliance, the proposed law imposes strict penalties on employers 
who fail to implement the mandated increase. Violators may be fined between 
₱100,000.00 to ₱500,000.00 or imprisoned for up to four years. Furthermore, 
employers found guilty shall pay double the amount of unpaid benefits to their 
affected workers. These enforcement provisions are designed to protect employees 
and ensure accountability among employers, especially in sectors where labor 
violations are common. 
This bill is a necessary and urgent step toward economic justice. It aims to lift 
millions of Filipino workers closer to a dignified standard of living and 
acknowledges the indispensable role they play in driving national productivity and 
growth. A ₱200.00 wage hike may not close the wage-living cost gap completely, but 
it is a critical start, a concrete measure that affirms the State’s duty to uplift those 
who carry the heaviest burdens of our economy. This law is a long-overdue 
recognition that every worker deserves fair pay and a decent life for themselves and 
their families. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
HON. ERIC G. YAP 
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
1st Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
Introduced by Representative ERIC G. YAP 
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 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.” 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 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. 
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SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 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. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – All laws, orders, issuances, rules, and 
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended, or modified accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
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Approved, 
 
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