Salceda in early talks to form “Fair Wage Bloc” in Congress, files HB 55

July 21st, 2025

Albay 3rd District Representative Raymond Adrian Salceda is laying the groundwork for what he hopes will become a dynamic coalition of first-term lawmakers, an evolving Fair Wage Bloc anchored on issue-based collaboration in Congress.

Salceda has filed House Bill 55, the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, which seeks to abolish regional wage boards and establish a single national living wage within five years.

Conversations with fellow freshmen, including Manggagawa Partylist Representative Eli San Fernando who also filed a Fair Wage bill, are ongoing. “Puro freshman kausap natin. May mga kausap din ang mga kausap ko. So I expect this bloc to have a good enough number,” Salceda said.

“We are already talking to other freshmen. I do not have to lead this. What matters is that we have a bloc, formal or informal, that consistently pushes this forward,” he added.

Other pro-worker reforms under discussion

While the national living wage is the starting point, the Fair Wage Bloc is considering a broader labor reform agenda. These include:

• Wage parity and equal pay protections for women and vulnerable workers
• Expanded social protection including healthcare, unemployment insurance, and maternity benefits
• Stronger labor inspection and enforcement, especially in the informal sector
• Protection of workers’ rights including the right to organize and collectively bargain
• Gig economy safeguards such as minimum pay standards and portable benefits

Salceda emphasized that improving workers’ welfare is key to inclusive growth. “Labor is the primary driving force of economic growth. Manggagawa din naman ang mamimili.”

The bloc remains in formation and welcomes legislators who share the goal of ensuring dignified and decent work for every Filipino.