REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__78

Introduced by HONORABLE RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III,
HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, and
HONORABLE BRYAN B. REVILLA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to grant a P200.00 daily wage increase for all minimum
wage workers in the private sector, regardless of industry. It shall also prohibit
employers from offsetting prior wage increases unless these were part of a
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in anticipation of this measure. Further,
it shall mandate the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to conduct
payroll inspections and enforce compliance in both unionized and non-unionized

workplaces.

Living wage is the amount of family income needed to provide for the cost
of living which includes all food and non-food requirements, with sufficient
allowance for savings and investments for social security, as defined by the

National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

However, due to inflation and other present economic realities, the prices
of basic needs and services continue to rise. The real value of the salary of

workers have significantly decreased. Further, salaries received by workers are


lagging behind the government’s conservative estimate of the cost of living that

a living family needs in order to survive.

No less than the fundamental law of the country recognizes the right of
workers to living wage, along with job security, and humane working conditions.
It is therefore commensurate to enact a legislation that would alleviate the living

conditions of the people.

This bill has been approved on Third and Final Reading last 19" Congress.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RAMON 1k. REVILLA II
(CADO-REVILLA Zz B. REVILLA

LAN



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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__78

Introduced by HONORABLE RAMON JOLO B. REVILLA III,
HONORABLE LANI MERCADO-REVILLA, and
HONORABLE BRYAN B. REVILLA

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


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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.

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.


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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.

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.

Approved,