The House of Representatives is eyeing a higher increase in the daily minimum wage from the P100 being pushed by the Senate for workers in the private sector.House Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, however, said it is crucial to balance the interest of workers and small businesses.The Senate on Wednesday approved on second reading a measure for a P100 across-the-board increase in the minimum wage of private workers.Business groups, however, said the legislated wage hike would hurt companies, especially micro, small and medium enterprises.Garin congratulated the Senate for passing the bill on second reading, but said the increase may not be enough to cover the increase in prices of basic goods due to inflation.“P100 seems low. Because of the high price of goods now, it seems this does not agree with the needs of the people,” she said.At the same time, Garin said the Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), which some senators are criticizing heavily, would help in augmenting the wages of Filipino workers while Congress deliberates on the legislated wage hike.The AKAP Program was designed to provide a one-time P5,000 cash assistance to near-poor, low-income Filipino families affected by the global inflation and the surge in commodity prices.Outlined in the 2024 budget, the program has an earmarked fund of P50 billion for direct support to families earning less than P23,000 monthly, ensuring that those not covered by the Pantawid PamilyangPilipino Program (4Ps) due to their income bracket will receive necessary aid.
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