House Deputy Speaker and Zambales First District Rep. Jay Khonghun is pushing for the abolition of the long-standing “provincial rate” system, backing a measure that would establish a single national minimum wage and standardize pay for workers across the country.
Khonghun expressed his full support for House Bill No. 8081, or the National Minimum Wage Bill, authored and endorsed by Eli San Fernando of the Kamanggagawa Party-list.
The measure seeks to dismantle the existing regional wage boards and the provincial rate system, replacing them with a unified nationwide minimum wage.
Under the proposal, the current wage-setting mechanism implemented by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards under the Department of Labor and Employment would be scrapped in favor of a standardized rate applicable throughout the country.
“Panahon na upang itaas ang sahod at ibalik ang dignidad ng bawat manggagawang Pilipino saan man sulok ng bansa,” Khonghun said.
“Ito ay isang karapatan at nararapat na magkaroon ng pambansang minimum wage para sa pantay at makatarungang sahod saan mang panig ng bansa,” he added.
For his part, San Fernando thanked Khonghun for his unequivocal support of HB 8081, noting that backing from House leadership is a significant step toward advancing workers’ welfare and rights in Congress.
Under the current system, minimum wages vary by region in accordance with wage orders issued by regional wage boards, resulting in lower pay for workers in several provinces compared to those in the National Capital Region (NCR).