MANILA, Philippines — Senator Loren Legarda has filed a bill seeking a nationwide wage increase, proposing a ₱200 daily adjustment for private sector workers nearly four decades after the last legislated hike.

Senate Bill 1856, filed on February 21, 2026, aims to address the widening gap between current minimum wages and the actual cost of living. Legarda cited data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that the poverty threshold for a family of five stands at about ₱13,873 per month, or ₱462.43 per day. She noted that minimum wage rates in many regions remain below this benchmark, with only 52.94 percent of non-agricultural wages surpassing basic living costs.

“The minimum wage should be a living wage. It must not only cover food and shelter but also provide access to education, health care, and social participation,” Legarda said, referencing the International Labor Organization’s definition of a living wage.

The senator emphasized that the proposed increase would apply to all private sector workers regardless of employment status, including regular, contractual, and sub-contractual employees, as well as those in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors. She argued that raising wages would stimulate economic activity, as workers would spend the additional income on essential goods and services.

Legarda’s proposal has reignited debate over wage standards in the Philippines, where regional wage boards typically set minimum rates. Labor groups have long pushed for a legislated nationwide increase, saying current wages are insufficient to meet the needs of Filipino families. Business groups, however, have warned that mandated hikes could burden small enterprises and affect competitiveness.

The bill is expected to spark extensive discussions in the Senate and among stakeholders, as the country grapples with inflation, rising living costs, and calls for stronger social protection measures. If passed, the measure would represent one of the most significant wage reforms in recent Philippine history.