Pinoys back ₱200 pay hike, criticize gov’t response

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

A large majority of Filipinos support a proposed PHP 200 daily wage increase and express frustration with the government’s perceived failure to address workers’ demands, according to an August 2025 nationwide survey by WR Numero.

The latest issue of the Philippine Public Opinion Monitor shows that 83% of Filipinos agree with the PHP 200 daily minimum wage hike filed in the 20th Congress by Senators Bam Aquino and Risa Hontiveros.

Only 9% of respondents opposed the proposal while 8% were unsure, highlighting overwhelming support across demographic, economic, and political segments.

Support for the wage hike is highest in Metro Manila and South Luzon, with both regions showing 87% approval, followed closely by the Visayas at 86%, Mindanao at 79%, and North-Central Luzon at 77%.

The backing cuts across all income classes, with 84% from both Class ABC and Class D supporting the proposal, along with 83% from Class E.

Despite the strong support, opposition was slightly higher among Class ABC at 14%, compared to 6% in Class D and 9% in Class E, indicating some resistance among higher-income respondents.

Support is also stronger in larger households, with 87% of respondents from families with more than six members endorsing the proposed hike, compared to 83% from households with one to three members and 81% from those with four to six.

Political identification appears to influence support levels, with 89% of opposition-aligned respondents favoring the increase, followed by 87% of pro-Duterte supporters, 86% of pro-Marcos supporters, and 76% of independents.

The proposal aims to mandate an across-the-board increase of PHP 200 in the daily minimum wage across all industries nationwide.

Public support for the wage hike comes as discontent grows over the government’s perceived inaction on improving workers’ pay amid rising costs of living.

The survey reveals that 40% of Filipinos are dissatisfied with the government’s response to wage demands, while 32% are satisfied and 28% remain unsure.

Dissatisfaction was highest among Class D (45%) and Class ABC (44%), reflecting strong frustration among middle- and lower-income groups, while Class E respondents were slightly less dissatisfied at 38%.

Among those satisfied, 42% came from Class A respondents, suggesting that wealthier individuals view the government’s handling more favorably.

Uncertainty was most prevalent among Classes D (28%) and E (30%), while only 14% of Class A respondents were unsure, showing clearer opinions among the economic elite.

Generational differences also emerged, with nearly half (47%) of younger respondents expressing dissatisfaction, compared to 39% among those aged 31 to 59 and 28% of respondents aged 60 and above.

Regionally, Metro Manila led in government dissatisfaction at 58%, followed by North-Central Luzon at 43% and the Visayas at 42%, while Southern Luzon (39%) and Mindanao (32%) showed higher uncertainty levels.

Among partisan groups, Duterte and opposition supporters were the most critical of the government response, with 50% and 48% respectively expressing dissatisfaction, followed by 36% of independents.

In contrast, more pro-Marcos respondents (44%) were satisfied with the government’s handling of wage issues, indicating a notable partisan split.

The WR Numero survey also gauged public opinion on the recent PHP 50 wage increase in Metro Manila, revealing widespread disapproval.

Seventy-three percent of Filipinos believe the PHP 50 increase is insufficient to meet the rising cost of living, while 21% say it is sufficient but should be applied nationwide, and only 6% find it adequate for now.

Metro Manila respondents were the most vocal, with 88% saying the increase was not enough, 10% calling for nationwide implementation, and just 2% stating it was currently sufficient.

Across other regions, 72% in the Visayas, 71% in South Luzon, and 70% each in Mindanao and North-Central Luzon also deemed the increase inadequate.

By income, dissatisfaction with the PHP 50 hike was highest among Class D at 83%, followed by Class ABC at 73% and Class E at 70%, underlining the broad economic impact of rising consumer costs.

More than three-quarters (78%) of those aged 60 and above believe the increase is inadequate, as do 76% of those aged 31 to 59 and 67% of respondents under 30.

Political leanings again played a role, with independents (78%) and opposition supporters (76%) most critical of the wage increase, while Duterte (26%) and Marcos (22%) supporters favored applying the PHP 50 hike nationwide.

The issue of worker compensation is reflected in Filipinos’ top policy concerns, with 39% identifying wage increases as one of the top three issues they want the government to address.

Wage concerns ranked second only to the need to lower the cost of food and basic goods, which was the top priority for 42% of respondents.

Other leading issues include addressing illegal drugs and crime (29%), fighting poverty (29%), and expanding jobs and livelihood opportunities (28%).

Twenty-three percent of respondents emphasized the need to combat government corruption, while 16% each cited the education crisis and reducing taxes and government fees.

Fourteen percent called for the restoration of PhilHealth subsidies, amid ongoing healthcare concerns and reduced benefits under previous reforms.

A smaller share of Filipinos identified strengthening the justice system (8%), resisting China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea (7%), and expanding comprehensive sex education (6%) as critical issues.

Six percent of respondents also cited ensuring a fair impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte, who is currently facing formal proceedings in Congress.

Other issues that received lower support include boosting national defense (5%), regulating political dynasties (3%), legalizing same-sex marriage (2%), and passing a divorce law (2%).

The survey was conducted from July 29 to August 6, 2025, with a sample size of 1,418 Filipino adults and a national margin of error of ±2.6% at a 95% confidence level.

The subnational margin of error is ±7% for the National Capital Region, ±3% for the rest of Luzon, ±6% for the Visayas, and ±5% for Mindanao.

WR Numero’s Philippine Public Opinion Monitor also includes public perceptions on the recent State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., performance ratings of national leaders, and developments surrounding the impeachment proceedings of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The full survey results can be accessed through the WR Numero public brief available at tinyurl.com/wrn-ppom.