A living wage for every Filipino

We all know the struggle — you work hard, clock in overtime, yet your paycheck still isn’t enough. Bills pile up, groceries get more expensive, and sending the kids to school feels like a never-ending challenge.

That’s the reality for millions of Filipinos stuck in the minimum wage trap. It’s time we demand better: not just wages that meet the bare minimum but wages that actually let families live decently.

Why do small businesses fear paying fair wages when bigger companies can afford it? Why should someone doing the same job in the province earn less than those in Metro Manila? And why are so many parents still forced to work abroad, missing birthdays and school plays, just to put food on the table? These aren’t just policy debates – they’re real-life problems hurting real people.

The good news is that Senator Alan Peter Cayetano is pushing for a Labor Commission to finally fix this. Think of it like a big meeting where government, businesses, and workers sit down and hash out a living wage, one based on what families actually spend on meals, rent, school, and healthcare. No more guessing, no more empty promises, just real numbers for real needs.

This isn’t just about bigger paychecks. It’s about keeping families together. It’s about making sure no one has to choose between putting their kids through school and putting dinner on the table.

If we get this right, we won’t just be helping workers – we’ll be building a country where hard work actually pays off. Now that’s progress worth fighting for.