THE Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (Sentro) Thursday, April 2, 2026, criticized an official of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for serving as the spokesman of the employers sector instead of fighting for worker welfare.
In a statement, Sentro said it is unacceptable for Labor Undersecretary Benedicto Ernesto Bitonio Jr. to reject calls for a substantial wage increase.
"At a time when workers are crushed by rising prices, a key labor official in government is busy explaining why there should be no nationwide wage hike," said Sentro.
"It’s disturbing to consistently hear a DOLE official, an acting labor undersecretary for that matter, talk about wages as if he were the spokesperson of employers," said the group.
The labor group said such statements contrast with the role of the labor department.
"The job of the DOLE is not to rationalize poverty wages or repeat the talking points of business groups. Workers expect DOLE to fight for a living wage," said Sentro.
The workers challenged Undersecretary Bitonio to live on a minimum wage rate to understand their predicament.
"Perhaps the Undersecretary should try living the life of a minimum wage earner—even for just a day. He might then understand why workers are demanding a real wage increase," said Sentro.
Earlier, Bitonio said there will be no national wage increase on May 1 as the DOLE continues to rely on regional wage boards to address concerns.