Pacquiao says workers not getting by with minimum wage

Presidential candidate and Senator Manny Pacquiao said it was high time to review the minimum wage of workers as it can no longer keep up with the high prices of food and other commodities.

"Oo, pabor ako riyan dahil gusto ko itaas 'yung minimum wage dati dahil hindi na makasabay sa presyo ng mga bilihin eh," Pacquiao said in a media briefing at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.

(I favor review, I wanted to raise the minimum wage because it could no longer keep up with the prices of goods.)

"Nasubukan ko naman 'yan. Sinubukan kong mamalengke gamit 'yung sweldo ko sa isang buwan, hindi kasya for one month," he said.

(I tried going to the market using my salary for a month, it isn't just enough.)

Paquiao last month visited the Balintawak and Farmers markets in Quezon City to check on the current prices of goods and to see for himself whether the minimum salary of an ordinary worker can sustain the family's needs.

"Maliit na maliit na 'yung sahod ng mga kababayan natin at mahal na 'yung bibilihin at hindi kasya," he added.

(The salary of our countrymen is too small, the prices of goods are expensive, it is not enough.)

The Department of Labor and Employment earlier directed the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board to review the minimum wage of workers amid calls for salary increase.

The wage board implements varying minimum wage rate by sector and region.  The minimum rate in Metro Manila is P537 per day.     

During the presidential debate hosted by CNN Philippines, Pacquiao proposed that the minimum wage should be between P700 and P800.

Pacquiao met with the Liga ng mga Barangay Regions 4A and B in Pasay City to discuss his plans for the country should he win the presidency in the May elections.

 —LDF, GMA News