TUCP: WORKERS DESERVE 14TH MONTH PAY AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has filed House Bill No. 3808 to give 14th month pay to all workers in the private sector after almost half a century since 1976 when the 13th month pay was required by Presidential Decree No. 851. Senate Minority Leader Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has also filed a bill requiring private employers to grant workers a 14th month pay.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng panukala sa parehong kapulungan ng Kongreso ay patunay na hindi na sapat ang 13th month pay at panahon na para sa 14th month pay na matagal nang hinihintay ng ating mga manggagawa. Once this 14th Month Pay Bill is enacted, workers will get their 13th month pay earlier in June and will get the additional 14th month pay in December. Mayroon nang pang-matrikula para sa mga anak sa pasukan sa Hunyo, mayroon pang pang-noche buena sa pasko para sa buong pamilya!,” stated TUCP Party-list Representative and Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza. 

Aware that some distressed companies may not be able to comply right away, the bill provides exemptions but subject to the strict approval by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). 

“These exemptions prove that we heed the concerns of employers, especially those who are struggling. But let us be clear: when workers receive more and better benefits, they are not only happier but more motivated and productive at work. And when productivity rises, so does profitability. Working families become more comfortable as businesses and the economy grow stronger. Together, we can make this 14th month pay work not only for our workers but our employers and the country,” explained Mendoza.

TUCP: MINIMUM WAGE EARNERS SHOULD ALSO GET 50% DISCOUNT IN METRO MANILA TRAINS

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) calls on Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon to include minimum wage earners as beneficiaries of the 50% discount in LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3. 

“As we continue to relentlessly press both the Senate and the House of Representatives to urgently act on the pending legislated wage hike measures: dapat gumawa tayo ng paraan upang ngayon pa lamang ay makaramdam na ng ginhawa ang ating mga manggagawa. Mr. Secretary, there are over a million minimum wage earners in Metro Manila alone and this is the least we can do to help alleviate their struggle in making ends meet,” stated TUCP Party-list and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza. 

Based on the train fare matrix of the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), a single train ride from Antipolo to Recto costs ₱35 or ₱70 per day for a round trip. For six working days a week, that amounts to ₱1,680 a month. 

“With a 50% discount, minimum wage earners can save as much as ₱840 a month or an extra ₱35 take-home pay every day. Bawat pisong natitipid sa pamasahe siguradong diretso yan sa hapag ng pamilya para sa mas masarap at mas malusog na pagkain para sa pamilya,” explained Mendoza. 

Starting September, special Beep cards with automatic 50% discount for students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities will be available on the MRT and LRT lines.

“But why are minimum wage earners left out? Kaya pa nating isama ang ating mga manggagawang Pilipino. Indeed, Mr. Secretary, the last thing we want is for our workers to fall in long lines all the time just to avail of the discount. Sobra na nga ang sakripisyo nila sa trabaho—huwag na nating dagdagan ng paghihirap sa pila. It should be simple: workers can present a certificate of employment, which states their salary, and be given special Beep cards for hassle-free rides to and from work,” added Mendoza.

TUCP urges Marcos to prioritize wage hike in SONA

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to cover both a legislated wage hike and decent employment in his upcoming fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

In a statement. TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza cited the June 2025 Pulse Asia survey, which shows that most Filipinos want inflation, wages, peace & order, employment, and poverty tackled in the SONA.

The May 2025 Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey also found that 92 percent of Filipinos believe the Senate should prioritize increasing the minimum wage, while 95 percent said the same for the House of the new 20th Congress.

“We are halfway through the Marcos administration, and this is the moment of truth. The state of the Filipino worker must be at the heart of this SONA,” Mendoza said.

He added that many people cannot go to work now to provide enough for their loved ones or even return home because entire communities remain submerged in floodwater.

“Mr. President, they are desperately looking for a beacon of hope. That hope lies in your swift certification of the P200 legislated daily minimum wage hike as urgent and your inclusion of bills for security of tenure and freedom of association to organize and collectively bargain for all workers in both the private sector and the government in the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) agenda,” Mendoza said. - By Vito Barcelo  

Php 50 Wage Hike sa NCR: Hindi Ramdam, Hindi Sapat

Mariing tinutulan ng Pambansang Kilusan ng Paggawa – Kilusan TUCP ang Php 50 dagdag sa minimum wage sa NCR. Sa bagong sahod na Php 695/day, take-home pay ng manggagawa ay nasa Php 562/day — malayo sa Php 1,197/day na cost of living ayon sa IBON Foundation, at sa Php 20,000/month poverty threshold ayon sa SWS.

Ang Php 50 ay hindi sapat. Hamon namin sa wage board subukan ninyong mabuhay sa Php 562 kada araw, ayon kay Arthur F. Juego, Pangulo ng Kilusan TUCP.

Panawagan:

Ipatupad ang Php 200 legislated wage hike

I-certify as urgent ang panukala sa Kongreso

Repasuhin ang Wage Rationalization Act

Makatarungan, hindi limos, ang dapat na sahod para sa manggagawa.