House Appropriations Committee Chair Elizaldy Co stirred controversy by proposing a ₱45,000 monthly minimum wage for Filipino workers, a dramatic increase from current rates.
Speaking amid discussions on the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), Co acknowledged the struggles of minimum wage earners but warned that implementing such a wage hike could trigger “super-inflation” and lead to massive business closures.
Co emphasized that targeted financial assistance through AKAP is a more practical solution to address workers’ hardships.
Under the AKAP program, Co proposed providing ₱5,000 monthly cash aid to minimum wage earners, should sufficient funding become available.
The congressman also revealed that launching AKAP required significant political will, citing opposition efforts to discredit the program. Despite this, he remains firm in advocating for policies to uplift workers without compromising the country’s economy.
Critics, however, argue that the ₱45,000 wage proposal, though impractical, highlights the deep wage disparity and the urgency for long-term reforms to address poverty and inflation.
Co urged stakeholders to support targeted responses like AKAP while working toward sustainable economic solutions that won’t burden businesses or trigger further economic instability.
