NWPC BULLETINVolume 19 v Number 3 www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph March 2015

Executive Director Sy graces Let’s Share the PIE segment

March 2015 News

Summary of Minimum Wage Ratesas of March 2015

Region’s Wage Order Highest Minimum

wage

Effectivity date

Wage Order No. RB NCR-18 P466.00 October 04, 2013

Wage Order No. RB CAR-16 P280.00 February 03, 2014

Wage Order No. RB I-16 P253.00 February 05, 2014

Wage Order No. RB II-16 P255.00 January 05, 2014

Wage Order No. RB III-18 P349.00 November 30, 2014

Wage Order No. RB IVA-16 P362.50 May 01, 2014

Wage Order No. RB IVB-06 P275.00 February 01, 2013

Wage Order No. RB V-16 P260.00 January 10, 2014

Wage Order No. RB VI-21 P287.00 November 29, 2013

Wage Order No. RB VII-18A P340.00 December 14, 2014

Wage Order No. RB VIII-17 P262.00 October 16, 2012

Wage Order No. RB IX-I8 P280.00 June 10, 2013

Wage Order No. RB X-17 P306.00 June 20, 2013

Wage Order No. RB XI-18 P317.00 June 01, 2014

Wage Order No. RB XII-18 P275.00 August 1, 2014

Wage Order No. RXIII-13 P268.00 February 14, 2015

Wage Order No. ARMM-15 P250.00 February 1, 2014

NWPC BULLETINEditor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

Editorial BoardExecutive Director

Maria Criselda R. Sy

Deputy Executive Directors

Patricia P. Hornilla

Jeanette T. Damo

Directors

Elvira P. Jota

Atty. Welma T. Sicangco

Atty. Jamie-Lyn Jamias-Garcia

Jem Samonte

Lourdes M. Secillano

Jerome P. Lucas

NWPC issues guidelines in the conduct of public consultations

The NWPC recently issued

guidelines on the conduct of

public consultations as provided

under Rule III of NWPC Guide-

lines No. 01, Series of 2007 or

the Amended Rules of Proce-

dure on Minimum Wage Fixing.

The guidelines aims

to ensure broad and active

participation of social part-

ners, stakeholders and oth-

er parties who stand to be

affected by the issuance

of a wage order and serve

as a guide in the orderly

conduct of public consultation.

All regional, provin-

cial, and sectoral public

consultations that will be

conducted by the RTWPBs

shall be covered by the new

guidelines which prescribes

both standard and ethical

procedures during the issu-

The Regional Tripartite

Wages and Producti-

vity Board in Caraga recently

submitted to the Commission

for review, its 2nd advisory

on productivity-based pay

schemes covering the plan-

tation industry.

The selection of

the plantation industry

was in recognition of its

contribution to the region’s

income and employ-

RTWPB Caraga issues its 2nd advisory; plantation industries covered

ment growth. The industry

demonstrates strong growth

potential, largely contri-

buting to the region’s 8%

GRDP growth rate in 2013.

The advisory recom-

mends the adoption of various

performance indicators such

as volume of hauled products,

growership and production

and the grant of cash e.g. pro-

duction incentive bonus) and

non-cash incentives e.g. rice

subsidy), for meeting the

targets set for each

performance criteria. The

advisory emphasizes agree-

ment between labor and

management in setting the

performance indicators, tar-

gets and incentive schemes.

The advisory shall

be fi ne-tuned by the Board

based on the recommenda-

tions of the Commission.

Executive Director Maria

Criselda R. Sy and Deputy

Executive Director Jeanette T.

Damo launched the sequel to the

Let’s Talk Productivity segment

entitled Let’s Share the PIE

(Productivity, Innovation, and

Enterprise Development)

during the DOLE Flag Raising

Ceremony last 02 March 2015.

During the launch, ED

Sy cascaded her learnings

from the Singapore training.

Being the fi rst presenter of the

new segment, she empha-

sized the possibilities of

innovation.“There is no short-

age of ideas and inventions

in this world. The challenge is

to introduce these success-

fully to a market; only then

can the idea or invention be

called an innovation,” she said.

Innovation and produc-

tivity were the central theme

of the 30 March to 05 April

2014 training in Singapore

attended by ED Sy together with

19 other senior offi cials from

DOLE and other government

agencies and social partners.

Her discussion focused

on three areas where Singapore

has demonstrated its excel-

lence in introducing innovation,

namely transportation, water

sustainability and education.

In the area of trans-

portation, she cited the ef-

fi ciency, speed and connec-

ance of notice and actual con-

duct of public consultations.

The new guide-

lines also indicate the role

of the RTWPB secretariat

specifi cally in ensuring that the

notice of public consultations

shall have been widely dis-

seminated to the organiza-

tions, stakeholders and interest

groups, and that the consulta-

tions should be documented.

This may be viewed and

downloaded from the NWPC

website (www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph).

tion of its wage order and

in the provision of technical

assistance on productiv-

ity. The one-hour program

ended with both RTWPB

representatives encourag-

ing the listeners to avail of

the productivity training pro-

grams offered by the Board.

RTWPB VII... from page 4

by RTWPB VII

by Jerome P. Lucas

by Jerome P. Lucas

turn to page 4

March 2015 news March 2015newsModule on Innovation and Productivity

pilot tested in Region 8

Another batch of fi fteen (15)

offi cers and technical staff

recently left for a four-week specialist’s

course (March 8 to April 3) in Nanyang

Polytechnic International on Innovation and

Enterprise Development to be held in Singapore.

Representatives from DOLE, NWPC,

RTWPBs, Department of Science and

Technology (DOST), Department of

Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and

Industry (DTI), Department of Tourism (DOT),

Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines

Innovation and Enterprise Development Program Batch off to Nanyang Polytechnic in Singapore

Employee welfare programs on stress manage-

ment and health maintenance were organized by the

NWPC’s Administrative Division for the month of March.

With the goal to help employees manage and cope with

stress, a fi lm showing featuring the movie “Caregiver” was

organized for the NWPC offi cers and staff last March 9, 2015.

A blood screening, preparatory to a hepatitis B vaccination was

also organized for the NWPC employees last March 10, 2015.

Minimum wage earn-

ers in Cagayan Val-

ley received the 2nd tranche

of wage increase beginning

January 5, 2015 under Wage

Order No. RTWPB-II-16.

Workers in retail and

service establishments

regularly employing not more

than 10 workers received an

increase in the minimum

wage by P6 to P10, varying

by province. This information

Workers in Cagayan Valley receive 2nd tranche of wage increase

was disseminated through

an advisory to the different

DOLE Field Offi ces. The advi-

sory is also discussed during

DOLE’s technical assistance

visits to micro enterprises.

In view of DOLE’s

developmental framework,

Atty. Sixto T. Rodriguez, Jr.,

Regional Director ordered the

intensifi cation of assistance to

employers to comply with

the minimum wage. As majority

of establishments in the region

are micro enterprises, Rodriguez

further instructed that support

to them must be reinforced to

ensure productivity improve-

ment and sustainability.

Meanwhile, linkages

with the Philippine Information

Agency and local broadcast

media have been strengthened

for a wider information dissemi-

nation of the wage adjustment.

For more information and

confi rmation on any of the

Learning Sessions, you may

visit our website at

www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph

2015 NWPC

Learning Sessions

DO 18-A, Legitimate Forms of

Contracting and Sub-Contracting

DOLE-BLR

April 17

Topic 1: New BIR Revenue Regulations

on Expanded “De Minimis Benefi ts”

(RR - 2015)

BIR

Topic 2: Orientation on Productivity Tool

Box

NWPC

May 14

Orientation on ECC Benefi ts

DOLE-ECC

May 29

Topic 1: Orientation on NCR-Wage Order

RTWPB-NCR

Topic 2: Gainsharing Program

NWPC

June 19

Correcting Wage Distortion

NWPC

July 19

Occupational, Safety and Health

DOLE-OSHC

August 19

Post Employment and Other Related

Concerns

DOLE-Legal Service

September 18

Tax Exemption for Minimum Wage

Earners and Other Related Issues

BIR

October 16

Advisory on the Implementation of

Productivity Based Incentives-NCR

RTWPB-NCR

November 13

Labor Standards on Wage and Wage

Related Benefi ts

DOLE-BWC

December 09

NWPC sets stress management, health programs

turn to page 5

The Agricultural Train-

ing Institute (ATI) –

Regional Training Center VIII, in

cooperation with the NWPC,

conducted a seminar-work-

shop on Innovation and

Productivity at the Visayas State

University last 23-24 February

2015.

Around thirty fi ve

(35) participants from local

government units, academe

and ATI participated in the

seminar which aimed to pro-

mote the importance of nurturing

innovation as a key element in

improving organizational

productivity.

The speakers were

part of the delegation to the

Singapore training on Innova-

tion and Enterprise Develop-

ment (Phase 2). Dir. Wilma M.

Patindol of ATI Center - Region

8 discussed organizational

excellence while Director

Noel M. Ajoc of DOST Caraga

Provincial Offi ce focused his

presentation on productivity

concepts, measures and tools.

Ms. Sylvia P.

Piano, Chief of Training and

Technical Services Division

(TTSD) presented the concepts,

sources/drivers and types of

innovation. Meanwhile, Mr.

Francis A. Atangan of the TTSD

presented the Singapore

experience on innovation

particularly on educational

research and interactive edu-

cational tools.

Almost a year after RTWPB-Caraga

issued its 1st advisory covering the mining

industry, the Board assessed the implementa-

tion of said advisory. In its report, the Board

described the common performance and

productivity incentive schemes of eleven (11)

mining companies who have initially adopted

the advisory issued by the Board and for which

Certifi cates of Recognition have been issued.

RTWPB Caraga reviews its 1st advisory for the mining industry

Collectively, the mining companies

have a total employment of about 3,500

workers. The common productivity and

performance indicators were volume of pro-

duction, safety, longevity and attendance.

Incentives given to workers for achieving

and surpassing the targets were in the form

of cash and non-cash allowances/bonuses.

Wage Orientation

on Wage Order RB NCR-19

RTWPB-NCR

Correcting Wage Distortion

NWPC

April 15

March 2015 news March 2015news

Senior Labor and

Employment Offi cer

Henry Kakazu represented the

NWPC in the pre-employment

seminar on “ASEAN Integra-

tion 2015… Talent Revolution

Begins!” at the PUP Quezon City

Branch on February 26, 2015.

Organized by the

Human Resource Develop-

ment Management (HRDM)

students in cooperation with

the PUP-QC Branch Guidance,

Counseling, and Placement

Offi ce, the seminar aimed

to orient the students on the

challenges and oppor-

tunities of the ASEAN

economic community for the

country’s new graduates.

For his part, Mr.

Kakazu discussed the reforms in

minimum wage setting and

industry-specifi c compensa-

tion practices, including benefi ts

given to workers. He also dis-

cussed the mandatory wage-

related benefi ts granted to

workers.

“The implementation of

the two-tiered wage system

is a signifi cant policy reform

which will certainly help tighten

the link between the salaries of

workers and productivity of

workers and enterprises,”

Kakazu said.

Other speakers in the

seminar were: 1) Director

Daniel R. Espiritu of the ASEAN

Division of the Department of

Foreign Affairs (DFA); 2) Mr.

Jose Robert del Rosario, Presi-

dent and Training Director of

Lifequest Training and Consul-

tancy Corporation; and 3) Mr.

Allan Joseph Buencamino,

Talent Acquisition Head of

Manulife Financial.

NWPC orients PUP-QC students on salaries and benefi ts administration

The graduating

students also participated in

a job fair after the seminar

proper. Fourteen (14)

companies participated in the

said event including Smart,

Manulife, SPI Global, Hyundai,

and Dell.

Capacity building on Wages and Productivity to reinforce the regional board staff

Last 11 March 2015, the NWPC-

Administrative Division launched

the Labor and Administrative Continu-

ing Education Systems (LACES) with

Minimum Wage Fixing as its initial topic.

LACES is part of NWPC’s

employee welfare program aimed at build-

ing and strengthening the capacities of its

personnel in the implementation of wage

and productivity policies and programs.

NWPC launches LACES with minimum wage fi xing as its fi rst topic

To strengthen the capacities of the RTWPBs in

the implementation of the Two-Tiered Wage

System, the NWPC organized the “Capability

Building on Wage and Productivity/Competency-

Based Compensation Schemes” at the Atrium

Hotel in Makati City last February 23-27, 2015.

Participants during the training were

the offi cers and staff from the NWPC and

RTWPBs involved in the implementation of

the wage reform particularly the second tier.

The training program covered the

following topics/areas on wages: (i) minimum

by: Jerome P. Lucas

wage setting for domestic work (ii) competency

based pay scheme for domestic work (iii) produc-

tivity based compensation (iv) time and motion

studies and (v) facility evaluation. Meanwhile, in

the area of productivity, the concepts, theories,

and applications of gainsharing were discussed.

“With this training, the Commission

expects a more productive and smooth-

sailing work fl ow in your respective regions. This

capacity building will serve as your weapon to

further improve the quality of work that our cli-

ents and the public expect from us,” Execu-

tive Director Sy said in her closing remarks.

March 2015 news March 2015news

tivity of Singapore’s Mass

Rapid Transit (MRT) with

other forms of mass transport.

On water sustain-

ability, innovation is intro-

duced by recycling waste

water from the sewage, making it

potable for human consump-

tion. It is also used by industries

requiring high purity water.

Singapore also built a catch-

ment reservoir to augment

water supply. She added

that this is consistent with

Singapore’s goal to provide

simple and affordable solutions

with social and environmental

impacts.

In her presentation, ED

Sy also stressed the vital role

of education in the transforma-

tion of Singapore into a highly

competitive and developed

country. Since its independ-

ence, education has been a

priority of Singapore, recog-

nizing its dependence solely

on its human resource and

manpower capability amid

virtual lack of natural resources.

As an illustration, she

cited Nanyang Polytech-

nic (NYP) as an “innovative

polytechnic”. The Teaching

Factory Concept, as NYP’s

hallmark of innovation, adopts a

p rac t i ce -and-app l i ca t ion-

oriented training approach that

combines the learning and

working environment from which

realistic and relevant learning

experiences are realized. This

concept facilitates effective

learning in the implementation

of broad-based curricula in the

fi rst two years and specialist

studies in the fi nal year.

She closed her

presentation by emphasizing

that achieving productivity and

innovation is a journey which

begins with awareness leading

to action, and fi nally ownership.

Prior to the presenta-

tion of ED Sy, DED Damo

summarized the re-entry

programs and commitments

of the participants to the

Singapore training (Phase 1).

Filipino Women in Leadership underscored

The theme of the 2015 National Women’s

Month Celebration “Juana, Desisyon Mo

ay Mahalaga sa Kinabukasan ng Bawat Isa,

Ikaw na!” highlights the Filipino women’s role

in leadership power and decision-making.

According to Philippine Commission

on Women (PCW), while opportunities for

women in politics and decision-making are

opening up, many still hesitate to take on

leadership positions due to reproductive roles,

conservative mindsets and a belief that politics

and leadership are beyond a woman’s world.

The Commission pointed that there are

only six (6) women senators out of twenty four (24)

senatorial seats and only seventy nine (79)

women legislators out of two hundred eighty

nine (289) seats in the lower house for the

term 2013-2016. The 2013 elections result also

showed that only 22% of the total gubernatorial

posts and 18% of the total vice gubernatorial

posts are occupied by women. Women account

for only 21% of all municipal mayors in 2013.

A highlight of the celebration was

a nationwide simultaneous dance number,

joined in by some NWPC staff at the

Quezon Memorial Circle last March 8, 2015.

Spearheaded by the PCW, the month-

long celebration for Filipino women also

conducted online advocacy, photo

contest, forum, media summit and fi lm showing.

Deputy Executive Directors Patricia P. Hornilla

and Jeanette T. Damo spoke before members

of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service

Contractors, Inc (PALSCON) during their fi rst general

membership meeting for 2015 at the Club Filipino,

Greenhills, San Juan City last February 26, 2015.

While the NWPC Directors were invited as

guest speakers to discuss the 2015 Productivity

Olympics, they also took the opportunity to promote

the implementation of the two-tiered wage system and

Productivity Toolbox to about 50 PALSCON members.

PALSCON General Membership Meeting highlights 2015 Productivity Olympics and Productivity Toolbox

Last February 15, 2015,

RTWPB Board Secre-

tary Grace Carreon and Atty.

Evita G. Mendoza graced

the morning program of

Bombo Radyo, a local

radio station in the region,

as part of its public aware-

ness campaign on wage and

productivity programs of the

Board.

Among the high-

lights of the program

were features of Wage

Order RB VII-18A

which took effect on 14

December 2014 and the

various productivity training

programs under the

Productivity Toolbox.

The guests answered

phoned-in queries to clarify

issues on the implementa-

RTWPB VII goes on air

(ECOP), and Mindanao Alliance of Land Trans-

port & General Workers Union (MALTU-TUCP).

The program which is organized by

the NWPC in cooperation with Singapore’s

Temasek Foundation (TF) and Nanyang Poly-

technic International (NYPi), aims to build the

capacity of DOLE and its strategic and social

partners in nurturing the growth and development of

micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country

through productivity improvement and innovation.

by: Jerome P. Lucas

by: Jerome P. Lucas

Innova! on and Enterprise... from page 2

turn to page 8

Execu! ve Director Sy... from page 1

by Jerome P. Lucas