Bong Go on PH upper-middle-income status, wage hike TRO: Ironic

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go raised what he called the “contrast and irony” between the Philippines’ new upper-middle-income classification and a survey showing that 52% of Filipino families still consider themselves poor, saying economic growth must translate into higher wages and tangible improvements in the daily lives of ordinary workers.

In his manifestation on Wednesday, August 5, Go expressed full support for a Senate resolution backing the Department of Labor and Employment, the National Wages and Productivity Commission, and workers affected by the temporary restraining order on the ₱85 daily minimum wage increase in Metro Manila.

“Just last month, the Philippines was officially recognized by the World Bank as an upper-middle-income country. This is a significant milestone that reflects our country’s growing national income,” Go said.

“Yet, despite this, more than half of Filipino families, or 52%, still consider themselves poor, according to an SWS survey. The contrast and irony remind us that the true measure of progress is whether ordinary Filipinos actually feel the benefits in their daily lives,” he continued.

The Philippines formally moved into the World Bank’s upper-middle-income category on July 1. Meanwhile, the March 2026 Social Weather Survey found that 52% of Filipino families rated themselves as poor, equivalent to an estimated 14.5 million families. 

Go said the country’s improved income classification would have little meaning to workers unless it resulted in better pay, more secure jobs, and greater capacity to meet their families’ basic needs.

“Yung mga ordinaryong Pilipino ang dapat makaramdam sa progress po ng bansa. Dapat maramdaman ng ordinaryong Pilipino ang paglago ng ekonomiya,” he said.

“Kung naging upper-middle-income na ang bansa, sana kahit papaano tumaas din ang sahod ng pangkaraniwang Pilipino,” he added.

Go said minimum-wage earners are struggling with rising expenses, particularly amid higher fuel costs and the continuing pressure on household budgets.

“Matinding hirap ang pinapasan ng mga manggagawa, lalo na ang mga minimum-wage earners, at lalo na ngayong may fuel crisis,” he said.

“Halos wala nang natitira sa kanilang take-home pay kaya mahalaga ang bawat pisong increase sa kanilang sahod, lalung-lalo na po ang mga isang kahig, isang tuka nating mga kababayan,” he added.

The ₱85 NCR wage adjustment was approved under Wage Order No. NCR-27 and was set to benefit more than 1.1 million minimum-wage workers. It was scheduled in two tranches—₱60 effective July 25 and an additional ₱25 on January 20, 2027. Once fully implemented, the daily minimum wage would reach ₱780 for non-agricultural workers and ₱743 for workers under the lower wage category. 

Its implementation was halted after a Pasig City Regional Trial Court issued a TRO following a petition questioning the wage order. The government has said it would defend the adjustment in court. 

Go noted that the affected workers include construction workers, factory personnel, cashiers, security guards, janitors, and other employees whose households rely heavily on their daily earnings.

“Hindi lang po ito simpleng TRO. Sa likod po ng TRO na ito ay mga manggagawang matagal nang naghihintay. Napakatagal na po nilang hinihintay ito. Pinagpaguran po nila ito,” he said.

“Habang tumataas ang presyo ng pagkain, pamasahe, kuryente, tubig, upa sa bahay, at iba pang pangunahing pangangailangan, ang bawat araw na nade-delay ito ay may katumbas na gutom at hirap,” he added.

Go urged the court to consider Article 126 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 6727, which provides that no preliminary or permanent injunction or TRO may be issued against proceedings before the NWPC or the regional wage boards. 

“Nabanggit po kanina, yung Article 126 of the Labor Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 6727, expressly provides that no preliminary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order shall be issued by any court, tribunal, or other entity against any proceeding before the National Wages and Productivity Commission or the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards,” he said.

“Sana po’y ma-consider po ito ng Korte,” Go added.

The senator said even the suspended ₱85 increase falls below the nationwide ₱100 adjustment he has been pushing in Congress.

Go filed Senate Bill No. 175, which seeks to provide a ₱100 across-the-board increase in the daily minimum wage of private-sector workers nationwide as a response to inflation and the rising cost of living.

“Kung tutuusin, ₱85 na nga lang ito, mas maliit ito kumpara sa isinusulong natin na ₱100 na wage increase,” he said.

Go stressed that wage policy must balance the conditions of businesses and workers to protect employment while ensuring that people receive sufficient compensation for their labor.

“Mahalagang magkaroon ng balanse sa pagitan ng interes ng mga kumpanya at ng mga manggagawa upang mas maraming magkaroon ng trabaho na may sapat na suweldo,” he said.

He again appealed to businesses that can afford higher wages without suffering losses to share more of their earnings with workers.

“Sa mga mayayaman naman po, respectfully po, kung ’di naman po kayo malulugi, ipamahagi naman po ninyo ang kita ninyo sa mga manggagawa ninyo,” Go said.

“Lalo na sa mga isang kahig, isang tuka, na bawat piso po ay napakahalaga para may pambili ng pagkain at may laman po ang kanilang tiyan sa araw-araw,” he added.

Go expressed support for the immediate lifting of the TRO so that the Metro Manila wage increase could finally be implemented.

He likewise urged Congress to approve a nationwide legislated wage increase, saying workers outside the capital face the same pressure from food, transportation, utility, housing, and other household expenses.

“I also call on Congress to finally pass an across-the-board wage increase for the benefit of every Filipino minimum-wage earner,” he said.

“This is long overdue na po itong pagtaas, kahit na ₱100 lang po muna, hindi lang po dito sa Metro Manila at sana po sa buong Pilipinas. Malaking tulong po ito sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino na kailangang mabuhay araw-araw,” Go concluded.

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