Nueva Vizcaya Lone District Representative Timothy Joseph Cayton has expressed his full support for the proposed National Minimum Wage Act, which aims to abolish the current regional and provincial wage system and establish a single national minimum wage for all Filipino workers.

According to Cayton, it is time to implement a fair wage system where workers in provinces are not paid less despite doing the same job and sacrifices as those in Metro Manila.

“It is unjust that a worker in the province is paid less compared to Metro Manila, given the same hardship and value of their work,” Cayton said.

Currently, the provincial minimum wage in Nueva Vizcaya is around ₱500 per day, far from the minimum wage in the National Capital Region.

“HB 8081 is one of the most historic reforms for workers in a long time. Under the proposal, the current regional wage structure will be abolished and replaced with a single national minimum wage to ensure fairer and more equitable wages for all,” he added.

Under the proposal, the initial national minimum wage rate will be based on the region with the highest wage in the country.

Currently, the minimum wage in Metro Manila is ₱695 per day, which will serve as the basis for the new national rate.

Cayton emphasized that this reform is not just about wages but about dignity and recognition of the value of every Filipino worker. “The goal is simple but fair. Equal pay for equal work. Workers should not be penalized just because they are in the provinces. Raising the minimum wage will also boost the local economy as families will have more ability to spend and support businesses in their community,” he explained.

For Cayton, this proposal is a significant step towards reducing wage inequality in the country and ensuring that economic progress is truly felt by Filipino workers everywhere. “Ending provincial wage disparity is a clear message that progress is not just for cities, but for the entire country,” Cayton concluded.