General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) secretary general Wennie Sancho warned that unless an urgent wage adjustment is implemented by the Regional Wage Board such as the Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA) of P95 to100 per day in Western Visayas, to restore the severely eroded purchasing power of the workers, it would be impossible for the workers and their families to survive the economic strangulation brought about by the high cost of living due to the unabated increase in the prices of basic goods and services.
As evidenced by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data as of May 2025, the real value of one peso has plummeted to P0.81 signifying a drastic decline in the purchasing power of the workers. This devastating reality translates to a daily loss of P97.47 per worker in Western Visayas, cumulatively amounting to a staggering P2, 294.36 per month, his statement said.
“In the light of this dire situation, we urge the Regional Wage Board in Western Visayas to grant a wage adjustment of P95 to100 per day in the form of an Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA). This crucial adjustment is not merely a request but an economic imperative for the survival of the workers and their families, Sancho said.
The current minimum wage of P513 per day is woefully inadequate to cope up with the soaring cost of living as it merely translates to P415.53 in real terms. Restoring the purchasing power of the workers through a wage adjustment of P95 to100 per day is essential to ensure the economic survival and dignity of the workers and their families, the statement said.
With a monthly gross income of P13,388 allocating about 40% (P5,325.20) for food, leaves P8,002.80 for other expenses. The remaining amount is insufficient for a family of five to cover essential expenses like electricity and water bills, transportation, housing, health care, education and other necessities, he said.
Given the current economic conditions and rising cost of living, it is indeed challenging for families to live with dignity on such limited income. The situation highlights the need for wage adjustment to reflect the true cost of living, social support system to alleviate financial burdens and economic policies that promote sustainable livelihood, Sancho said.
To live with dignity, families require a stable income that covers basic needs and allows for some discretionary spending. In this case, the income falls short, emphasizing the importance of addressing poverty and income inequality. It is therefore necessary that a wage adjustment be implemented by the Regional Wage Board in Western Visayas immediately before the purchasing power of the workers would collapse, he added.*
