The Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) joins all workers in calling for the urgent passage of the PHP 200 wage increase before Congress adjourns for the election period. With the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities and essential healthcare needs such as medical services and medicines, there is no time to waste. Workers and their families continue to struggle under economic pressures, making a wage increase more critical than ever.

The rising cost of medicines underscores the urgency of this wage adjustment. Based on the Drug Price Reference Index released by the Department of Health (DOH) in 2024, the highest drug prices of essential medicines such as Paracetamol (500 mg), Lagundi (600 mg), and Losartan (50 mg) have already been exceeded in 2025. A single Paracetamol (500 mg) tablet, previously capped at PHP 2.25, can now cost PHP 2.75. Lagundi (600 mg) has surged from PHP 4.05 to as much as PHP 8.90 per piece. Meanwhile, Losartan (50 mg), a vital medication for hypertension, has increased from PHP 15.90 to PHP 25.25 per tablet.

“In reality, even a PHP 200 wage increase remains insufficient to ensure that workers and their families can afford nutritious and well-balanced meals, let alone emergency and maintenance medicines,” said Nadia De Leon, IOHSAD Executive Director. “This increase is still far from enough to guarantee a healthy and safe life for every worker and their family.”

The burden on workers has become even heavier with PhilHealth receiving zero budget allocation this year, leaving millions of Filipinos vulnerable to unaffordable hospitalization costs and medical services. Without government support, ordinary Filipino workers must rely solely on their own premium contributions for health insurance, putting their access to healthcare at risk.

“Low wages continue to put the health of Filipino workers and their families in constant danger,” De Leon added. “A significant wage increase is not just about economic relief—it is a crucial step in ensuring that workers can afford the healthcare they need.”

IOHSAD remains committed to supporting efforts in Congress and in workplaces to push for a substantial, across-the-board wage increase that benefits all workers, not just those earning the minimum wage. The group also calls on candidates in the upcoming elections to stand with workers and commit to pushing for a living wage that meets the real cost of living for all.