Imee flags wage difference in NCR, provinces

National

A LAWMAKER has raised concerns over the growing disparity in wages between Metro Manila and the provinces, questioning whether the current system still reflects the economic realities faced by workers outside the capital.

During a press conference on Saturday, May 2, in Mandaue City, Sen. Imee Marcos pointed to the gap between daily minimum wages in the National Capital Region and Central Visayas, despite comparable — and in some cases higher — living costs in the latter.

“So, why is it that there's such a huge difference between the minimum wage of Region 7 versus Metro Manila? When, in fact, basic commodities, basic gasoline prices, and rice cost is higher than Metro Manila,” Marcos said.

She noted that minimum wages in Metro Manila hover around P695 per day, while workers here earn between P500 and P540, even as expenses for fuel, electricity, and food continue to rise.

Marcos called for a reassessment of the regional wage board system, saying the current mechanism may be outdated and slow to respond to economic shocks.

“I think we need to revisit the whole scheme of the regional wage councils… and see how this metric that they use is actually applying,” she said.

She added that the country is currently facing overlapping pressures, including rising oil prices and utility costs.

“We have an oil shock… even in electricity. It's really important that we look at whether people can afford that,” she said, noting there may still be room for adjustments in wage-setting policies.

BSKE postponement

Marcos also addressed the proposed postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, citing both economic and logistical concerns.

She said the country is already operating under a national state of emergency, which complicates the holding of large-scale elections.

“So, I’m suggesting that rather than deprive and disenfranchise a large number of Filipino voters because of the cost, the inconvenience, and the pressure… we should just postpone it,” she said.

She pointed out that the law already provides for a four-year term for barangay officials and stressed that conducting elections under current conditions may place additional strain on both voters and government resources.

Marcos also cited scheduling conflicts and the complexity of managing simultaneous electoral processes, including preparations for the BARMM elections.

“It’s very, very impractical. Honestly,” she added, noting that rising living costs have already made governance at the barangay level more challenging.

Relationship with PBBM

During the same press conference, Marcos also spoke about her relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, describing it as “non-existent,” while maintaining that she continues to care for her brother.

She also addressed rumors circulating online claiming that the President had died, saying these were false.

Instead, she said he has been dealing with health issues and has been going in and out of the hospital, contrary to earlier public denials.

Marcos urged Malacañang to release a certified medical bulletin, stressing the public’s right to accurate information. She also called on the President to focus on his recovery.(MyTVCebu)