• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Western Visayas held Oct. 10 in Iloilo City the first public hearing on the minimum wage adjustment, attended by labor and management groups across Panay Island.
The second public hearing is set on Oct. 21 at the Capitol in Bacolod, for city and Negros Occidental stakeholders.
RTWPB6 chairperson, Atty. Sixto Rodriguez Jr., who is also the regional director of the Department of Labor and Employment, told participants of the hybrid hearing that since the last wage increase took effect on Nov. 16, 2023, any adjustment would be implemented after the one-year barrier “so as not to disturb the existing wage order during its effectivity period”.
Rodriguez also said that the Board has considered as “moot and academic” the P150 a day minimum wage hike petition of the United Labor-Western Visayas, since it was filed Oct. 2, or after the RTWPB conducted public consultations across the region, the last of which was in Victorias City Sept. 24, and decided to hold public hearings motu proprio.
“That’s for the procedural aspect. But the Board would still deliberate on the substantive aspect of a petition that will now be considered as manifestation or as part of the public hearing proceedings,” he explained.
Rodriguez took note that the wage plea for a P630 per day of work, or an increase by P150 since the current rate is at P480 for employees in non-agriculture/industrial/commercial establishments in Western Visayas, supports the legislated salary hike pending final action in Congress.
He said that pending action on Congress’ P100 to P150 legislated wage increase proposal, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his Laboy Day directive, ordered all RTWPBs nationwide to review the existing wage orders.
“I call on the RTWPBs to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage rates in their respective regions, with due consideration to the impact of inflation, among others, within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order,” Marcos had said.
At least six RTWPBs already issued new wage orders, starting with the National Capital Region that added P35, or P645 per day of work effective July 16.
The RTWPBs in II (Cagayan Valley), III (Central Luzon) and XII (Soccsksargen) also issued motu proprio wage orders, following Marcos’ directive.
In Cagayan Valley, the RTWPB-II granted a P30 daily minimum wage increase across all sectors, or P480 for non-agriculture, and P460 for the agriculture sector.
In Central Luzon, the increase ranges from P50-P66, or P550 in the non-agriculture sector; P520 in the agriculture sector; and P540 in retail and service establishments upon full implementation of all tranches.
In Soccsksargen, the increase granted in the amount of P27-P48 brings the daily minimum wages to P430 in the non-agriculture sector, including retail and service establishments; and P410 in the agriculture sector upon implementation of all tranches.
In Calabarzon, or Region IV-A, the increase ranges from P21-P75 in two tranches. This will bring the new minimum wage rates to P560 for nonagricultural, P500 for agricultural workers, and P425 for retail and service establishments employing not more than 10 workers.
In Central Visayas, the approved salary increases ranged from P33 to P43 per day. Effective Oct. 2, minimum earners in Class A cities, or the so-called Expanded Metro Cebu, received P501 per day; P463 for workers in Class B areas, including the six component cities of Negros Oriental, namely Dumaguete, Bais, Guihulngan, Tanjay, Bayawan, and Canlaon, as well as Bogo and Toledo of Cebu, and Tagbilaran of Bohol; and P453 for Class C, or workers in the 19 towns of Negros Oriental, the six municipalities of Siquijor, and that of Bohol towns.
Rodriguez assured both labor and management of “fair and balance dialogue regarding the wage determination” in Western Visayas.
“We recognize the employees’ right to the payment of just and reasonable wages, and the employers’ interest to protect their businesses,” he said. “Rest assured that the RTWPB will act with justice, give everyone his due, and be fair to everyone, to promote equality for all. We aim to uplift the quality of life of our workers while supporting the competitiveness of our businesses.”
The RTWPB said the criteria for minimum wage determination include the need of workers and their family, capacity of employers to pay, comparable wages and income, and economic and social development. | CGC
