Senator Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo sought an equal minimum wage across the nation, from Metro Manila to the provinces, on Friday.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor and Employment, Tulfo has moved to increase provincial wages due to rising prices, particularly for food, medicine, and gasoline, reported RH 28 Raymund Dadpaas.

At present, non-agriculture sector workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) earn a daily minimum wage of ₱695. The senator noted a considerable discrepancy between this amount and the wages in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), at ₱411, and in Caraga, at ₱415.

During the committee hearing, Tulfo suggested that the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and other labor experts look into the proposal, which he believes is an apt response to inflation.

He claimed gasoline in the province was pricier, and believes workers in the province opt to work in Manila for the higher wage.

DOLE Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma promised the agency would consider the proposal and conduct thorough consultations with the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards.

In July, a ₱50 wage hike took effect for workers in Metro Manila, raising the daily minimum salary to ₱695 from ₱645.