MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker is urging both chambers of Congress to immediately act on the proposed minimum wage hike, warning that the measure must not be left pending as the 19th Congress nears its adjournment.

“We are down to the wire. Dalawang sesyon na lang ang nalalabi sa 19th Congress at dapat talakayin na ang batas na magbibigay ng umento sa sahod ng minimum wage workers sa pribadong sektor. Huwag natin silang kalimutan,” Senator Risa Hontiveros said.

The House of Representatives last week approved House Bill No. 11376, which proposes a P200 increase in the daily wage of minimum wage earners in the private sector.

The Senate had earlier passed its version of the bill, calling for a P100 increase. Hontiveros co-sponsored the Senate version, ensuring that contractual, sub-contractual, and agency-hired workers were also covered.

Hontiveros stressed the urgency of convening a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the two versions of the bill and expedite its enactment.

“Pareho namang sumasang-ayon ang Kamara at Senado na oras na para magbigay ng umento sa sahod. Dapat nang mag-convene ng bicameral conference committee para pag-isahin ang magkaibang bersyon. Para agaran na rin itong maipadala sa Malacanang at maisabatas na,” she said.

She also called on Senate leadership to act swiftly, emphasizing that discussions on other pressing matters should not overshadow the importance of wage relief for workers.

“Ang dagdag sahod ay pagkain sa mesa, pambili ng gamit eskwela para sa anak, pamasahe para makapasok sa trabaho. Pakinggan natin ang boses ng manggagawa na patuloy na nakikipagbuno sa mataas na presyo ng bilihin, pamasahe, at serbisyo,” Hontiveros added.

Having previously appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in February to certify the measure as urgent, Hontiveros once again called on the President to back the bill.

“Mr. President, we ask you to stand with our workers. Ipasa natin ang batas na ito. Help deliver the long-overdue justice that Filipino workers deserve,” she said.