The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has issued a renewed and urgent appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., urging him to certify as a priority measure a proposed legislated increase in the daily minimum wage by P200. The labor group's call is anchored on what it describes as a critical situation of hunger and poverty affecting millions of Filipino families.
Alarming Survey Data Fuels Wage Demand
The TUCP's demand is backed by stark statistics from the Social Weather Stations (SWS) 2025 4th Quarter Survey. The survey revealed that 20.1 percent of Filipino families experienced involuntary hunger, a severe condition where they had nothing to eat. Furthermore, a significant 51 percent of families considered themselves poor. For the TUCP, these numbers are not just data points but a clear mandate for immediate government action.
A "Promise and Responsibility" of Government
In a strongly-worded statement, the labor coalition emphasized that providing a living wage is a fundamental duty of the state. "A living wage is not just a dream or a pipe dream. It is a promise and responsibility of the government entrusted by the people," the TUCP declared. They directly addressed the President, warning, "Mr. President, let's focus on the wage increase before our people empty their stomachs and before the people lose their trust in the government."
Call to Listen to Workers, Not Just Economists
The TUCP also made a pointed critique of the administration's advisers on the matter. The group implored President Marcos to stop heeding the counsel of his economic managers and employer organizations who often oppose wage hikes. "Choose to listen to the hungry workers rather than remain captive to economic managers, who serve as defenders of business people," the statement urged. This highlights the ongoing tension between economic policy aimed at controlling inflation and the immediate survival needs of the labor force.
The proposed wage hike bill has been pending with the House Committee on Labor and Employment since July 29, 2025. The TUCP's latest appeal, made on January 18, 2026, is a push to break the legislative logjam and elevate the measure to urgent status, which would fast-track its passage through Congress. The outcome of this appeal is seen as a critical test of the administration's response to the worsening economic plight of ordinary Filipinos.
