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DAILY MINIMUM WAGE RATESREGION X, Northern Mindanao a/
Per Wage Order No. RX-15 b/Effective 22 August 2010
Industry/SectorNon-Agriculture Agriculture
New Minimum Wage Rate New Minimum Wage Rate Wage Category I P256.00 P244.00Wage Category II P251.00 P239.00Wage Category III P246.00 P234.00Wage Category IV P241.00 P229.00
Effective October 1, 2010
Classification
Non-Agriculture Agriculture
Basic Wage Increase
New MinimumWage Rates
Basic WageIncrease
New MinimumWage Rates
Wage Category I P256.00 P13.00 P269.00 P244.00 P13.00 P257.00Wage Category II P251.00 P13.00 P264.00 P239.00 P13.00 P252.00Wage Category III P246.00 P13.00 P259.00 P234.00 P13.00 P247.00Wage Category IV P241.00 P13.00 P254.00 P229.00 P13.00 P242.00
a/
Wage Category I - Cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and the Municipalities ofTagoloan, Villanueva and Jasaan
Wage Category II - Cities of Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador and Ozamiz, and the Municipalites of Maramag, Quezon and Manolo Fortich
Wage Category III - Cities of Oroquieta and Tangub, and the Municipalities of Lugait,Opol and Mambajao
Wage Category IV - All other areas not covered under the above categories.
b/
Provides the following to all minimum wage earners in the region:
- Upon effectivity: P12.00 COLA under W.O. RX-14 shall be integrated into the basic pay- Effective October 1, 2010: P13.00 wage increase per day
Issued on July 28, 2010 and published at Gold Star Daily on August 7, 2010.
Posted: 10 August 2010
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Approved Holidays for August 2010
The celebrations for this month’s holidays have been returned to their original dates. According to official statements made by Malacañang, “Ninoy Day” which is a Special Non-Working Day will be observed on August 21 (Saturday) while the “National Heroes’ Day”; a Regular Holiday, is set on August 30 (Monday).
Last year, Ninoy Day was observed at its alternate day (August 23) in compliance with the so-called ‘Holiday Economics’ popularized by the Arroyo Administration. The change this year was made possible by the issuance of Proclamation No. 13 signed by the President on August 11.
Meanwhile, National Heroes' Day will be celebrated on the same day (August 30) in compliance with Proclamation No. 1841. As always, the rules on holiday pay for workers in the private sector still apply.
Updated: August 16, 2010
New Wage Hikes for 2 Regions in Mindanao
Minimum wage earners for two (2) regions in Mindanao, namely Northern Mindanao and CARAGA, will be getting an increase in their basic pay soon. To sum it up, those in Region X will get a P13.00 increase while those in Region XIII will receive an additional P10.00 in their basic pay.
Wage Order No. RX-15 for Northern Mindanao was published on August 7, 2010 whereas Wage Order No. RXIII-10 for CARAGA was published on August 10, 2010.
Both issuances were published at The Mindanao Gold Star Daily, a major newspaper circulation that covers the entire Mindanao region.
For Region X, the existing P12.00 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) that was implemented since 2008 will be integrated in the basic pay starting August 22, 2010. Subsequently, P13.00 will be added to the basic pay effective October 01, 2010 bringing up the minimum wage level from P229.00-P256.00 to P242.00-P269.00.
The region of Northern Mindanao includes the provinces of Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental as well as two (2) highly urbanized cities namely Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.
For CARAGA, part of the P23.00 COLA provided since Wage Order No. RXIII-08 will be incorporated to the basic pay starting August 25, 2010. Notwithstanding the P10.00 integration, the new Wage Order also provides for an additional P10.00 increase
bringing up the minimum wage level from P203.00-P233.00 to P213.00-P243.00.
The region of CARAGA includes the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.
As in previous Wage Orders, domestic/household helpers as well as individuals in the personal service of others (i.e. family drivers) and duly recognized workers of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) are not covered.
Updated: August 11, 2010
Minimum Wage Earners in Western Visayas to get P15 Increase
Effective August 12, 2010, minimum wage earners in Western Visayas will get a P15.00 increase in daily minimum wage under Wage Order No. RBVI-18.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for Region VI (RTWPB-VI) granted the wage increase after a series of public hearings in Bacolod City, Jordan Municipality in Guimaras, Iloilo City, San Jose Municipality in Antique, and Roxas City.
Wage Order No. RBVI-18 was published on July 28, 2010 at The Daily Guardian, a local newspaper circulated in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Distressed establishments and new business enterprises may be granted exemption from the wage increase upon due application with an approval by the Board.
For non-minimum wage earners in the region, wage distortion may be applied with the proposed adjustment in their wages subject to negotiation between the management and the workers or union.
In order to sustain rising levels of wages and enhance business competitiveness, the Wage Order encourages labor and management to adopt productivity improvement schemes that will improve the quality of life of workers and in turn enable them to produce more and earn more, such as time and motion studies, good housekeeping, quality circles, labor and management cooperation as well as implement gainsharing and other performance incentive programs.
Updated: August 06, 2010
A new home for NWPC and RTWPB-NCR by September 2010
Beginning September 1, the NWPC and Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for the National Capital Region (RTWPB-NCR) will hold office at the 2nd and 3rd floors of the DY International Building, No. 1011 General Malvar corner San Marcelino Streets, Malate, Manila.
In the meantime, the NWPC will continue its Learning Session with the topic “Tax Exemption for MWE and Salient Provisions on WO NCR-15” on August 13 at its present address. A special guest from the Withholding Division of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has been invited to answer queries and concerns on tax related issues.
Updated: August 04, 2010
Learning Sessions on Wage Order No. NCR-15
With the publication of the latest Wage Order in the NCR, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) will conduct a series of Learning Sessions starting June 29 at the NWPC Conference Room, 11th Flr., G. E. Antonino Bldg., cor. Bocobo and T. M. Kalaw Sts., Ermita, Manila City.
The sessions will orient tha participants on the salient provisions of Wage Order No. NCR-15 such as coverage/scope, wage distortions and exemption.
You may click the "Learning Sessions 2010" at the Quick Search bar located at the upper right corner of the NWPC homepage for the schedule. Take note that seats are limited hence, interested participants must pre-register as soon as possible.
Please contact the Information and Publication Division (IPD) using our official trunkline at 527-8012 to 17 local 121/123 or through our direct line at 527-5519. You may also email us at [email protected] for queries and updates.
Updated: June 17, 2010
Wage Order No. NCR-15 published yesterday
Wage Order No. NCR-15 granting a P22.00 increase to minimum wage earners was published on June 16. It will take effect on July 1, 2010 or 15 days from publication as required by law.
Interested parties may get a copy of the Wage Order from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for NCR (RTWPB-NCR) at the 11/F G. E. Antonino Bldg., Kalaw cor. Bocobo Sts., Ermita, Manila.
Updated: June 17, 2010
NCR Workers to get P22 Wage Increase
After a two-year pause, minimum wages in the NCR will increase by P22.00 a day in basic pay, bringing up the minimum wage level from P345-P382 to P367-P404.
The new wage hike will cover all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the NCR, and will take effect 15 days from publication of the Wage Order in a newspaper of general circulation.
The last wage adjustment was granted in June 2008 consisting of a P15.00 increase in basic pay and P5 COLA that was later integrated. No wage hike was granted afterwards due to the global economic difficulties.
As in previous Wage Orders, exemption may be granted to certain type of establishments such as distressed establishments and those whose total assets are not more than P3 million, retail/service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers and establishments adversely affected by natural calamities. There are some 4.2 million workers in the NCR, of which 2.18 million are minimum wage earners.
In case of wage distortion, those receiving above the minimum wage may likewise be given an adjustment in their wages after negotiation between the employer and the workers or union.
The wage adjustment was arrived at after a series of consultations and public hearing on the petition for P75 across-the-wage increase filed by the TUCP.
Any party not satisfied with the new wage hike may file an appeal to the NWPC through the Wage Board, within 10 days from publication of the wage order.
Updated: June 08, 2010
Regular Holidays and Special (Non-working) Days for 2010
PROCLAMATION NO. 1841
Declaring the Regular Holidays and Special (Non-Working) Days for the Year 2010
Proclamation No. 1841, was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on July 21, 2009, provides for the observance of the regular holidays and special (non-working) days in the country for the year 2010 on the following dates:
A. Regular Holidays
New Year's Day - January 1 (Friday) Maundy Thursday - April 1 (Thursday)
Good Friday - April 2 (Friday) Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Saturday) Labor Day - May 1 (Saturday) Independence Day - June 14 (Monday nearest June
12) National Heroes Day - August 30 (Last Monday of August) Bonifacio Day - November 29 (Monday nearest
November 30) Christmas Day - December 25 (Saturday) Rizal Day - December 27 (Monday nearest
December 30)B. Special (Non-Working) Holidays Ninoy Aquino Day - August 23 (Monday nearest August
21) All Saints Day - November 1 (Monday)
Additional Special (Non-Working) Day - December 24 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year - December 31 (Friday)C. Special Holiday (for schools only)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary - February 22 (Monday nearest February 25)
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9849
Proclamation Declaring a National Holidays for the Year 2010
Republic Act No. 9849, was signed into law by Congress and approved by the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on December 11, 2009, provides for the observance of the following Muslim Holidays considered as two (2) regular holidays:
Eidul Fitir - date of observance to be declared later by the President
Eidul Adha - date of observance to be declared by the President based on the recommendation of Office of Muslim Affairs
ADDITIONAL PROCLAMATION
Pursuant to Proclamation No. 2020 issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo through Executive Secretary Eduardo R. Ermita on March 1, 2010, declared May 10, 2010, Monday, a Special Public (Non-Working) Holiday Nationwide.
Proclamation No. 2029, by authority of the President signed by Executive Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza on March 24, 2010, declared Saturday April 3, 2010, which falls between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as a special (non-working) day throughout the country.
Proclamation No. 2043, by authority of the President signed by Executive Secretary Leandro R. Mendoza on April 28, 2010, declared Monday, May 3, 2010, as a regular holiday throughout the country.
Updated: April 29, 2010
NWPC Stakeholders' Consultation Forum held
As a continuing commitment to provide its clients with effective and responsive programs, the National Wages and Produtivity Commission (NWPC) recently held a series of Stakeholders' Consultation Forum nationwide participated in by various stakeholders that included employers, workers, academe, representatives of partner government agencies, NGOs and the informal sector.
The forum, which aims to gather insights and recommendations on NWPC's programs and performance in 2008 and 2009, was initially held in Manila on March 4, in Davao City on March 22 and in Baguio City on March 25.
NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III underscored the importance of the
information they obtained from the forum sortie, especially in identifying potential areas for improvement in their programs and services and their partnership with key stakeholders, which will be included in the reformulation of NWPC Work Plan for 2010-2011.
During the three (3) fora conducted, the participants commended the NWPC for organizing a series of pro-active area-based/sectoral consultations prior to the anticipated global financial crisis last year, which helped in the assessment of its potential impact on workers and the business community. As an outcome of the consultations, the social partners recognized the need to exercise restraint by adapting flexible work arrangements to mitigate displacement of workers and ensure business viability.
Likewise, to augment workers' income, the NWPC focused on its productivity training programs nationwide, including non-wage benefits such as Project Diskwento by mobilizing caravans where commodities were sold at discounted price, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry, DOLE Regional Offices, local government units and local manufacturers.
The conduct of the consultation forum winds up in Cebu City on April 26.
Updated: April 15, 2010
New CORPLAN Approach off to a Good Start
Embarking on a new planning strategy, the NWPC held its annual corporate planning exercise from January 26 to 28, 2010 with a mixture of resource persons of diverse expertise to provide participants with deeper and wider information-base for their environmental scanning activity.
Heading the cast was Director Dennis Arroyo of NEDA, Exec. Dir. Senen Perlada of the Export Development Council, Ms. Eloisa Glindro of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Dean Ramon Casiple, a much sought political analyst.
In his message during the planning activity, Executive Director Ciriaco Lagunzad III emphasized “the need to build capacity for political analysis as it will be useful in identifying issues critical for strategic planning.”
Dean Casiple outlined four (4) important concerns for the next administration, namely: unifying the people and the nation, climate change, corruption and strengthening the democratic institutions. He described the coming May elections “a watershed for
Philippine democracy” given the unresolved issues in previous elections.
Director Arroyo gave snapshots on the prospect of the country’s economy for 2010, while Dir. Perlada made a report on the recovering export industry. The latter also hinted at potential export products that included water coconut, which apparently is a hit in Brazil.DOLE partners from BLES and Planning Services also briefed the participants on the labor force situationer and the Department’s priority programs for 2010 and beyond.
The planning exercise culminated with the finalization of the 2010 Work and Financial Plan containing the programs, projects and targets agreed upon.
Posted: February 08, 2010
First Learning Session for 2010
The NWPC Learning Session for 2010 premiered with a bang last February 2 with 44 participants nearly filling the 45-50 seat capacity E-Learning Center.
Mr. Nicanor Bon, Chief of the Wages and Hours Division of the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC), discussed the session topic “Labor Standards and 2010 Holidays”, delving on workers’ benefits such as holiday pay, overtime pay, premium pay, including the much-sought list of 2010 National Holidays which has been very recently increased from 11 to 12 holidays with the addition of the Muslim Holiday ‘Eidul Adha’ under RA 9849 signed into law by the president on 11 December 2009.
After Mr. Bon’s one-hour presentation, the participants actively participated during the open forum on a wide array of questions such as maternity benefits, paternity leave benefits, leave benefits under the Law on Violence against Women and Children. The open forum took up more than two (2) hours of the session.
The Learning Session is an interactive seminar open to the public that teaches the participants on labor and wage-related issues. A complete schedule of the session for the first semester is posted at the NWPC website.
Posted: February 04, 2010
2009 Productivity Olympics Winners awarded
DOLE Secretary Marianito D. Roque awarded the winners of the 2009 Productivity Olympics held on October 29, 2009 at the Bayview Hotel in Manila.
The NWPC Productivity Olympics is a nationwide competition among MSMEs on the best productivity improvement practices aimed at intensifying national awareness and commitment to quality and productivity.
In conferring the awards to the ten (10) winners, Labor Secretary Roque acknowledged the need to promote productivity as a means of attaining growth and prosperity without a downside to industries and to society as a whole. He added that in light of the continuing economic crisis, DOLE considers the Productivity Olympics as a beacon to bring the consciousness of MSMEs the need to adopt productivity improvement as a survival strategy given the precarious conditions.
The ten winners were selected from 25 finalists after a thorough screening process by a national judging panel composed of representatives from the employer, labor and government sector.
The winners of the 2009 Productivity Olympics, with the theme "Enhancing Quality and Productivity towards Competitiveness", are as follows:
For the Agribusiness Category: Lao Integrated Farm (Region XI) and Sultan Kudarat Muscovado Farmers Millers Corp. (Region XII) for small enterprises/ AMS Fresh Fruits Producers Cooperative (Region XI) for medium enterprises.
For the Service Category: New Prestoza Machine Works (Region I) for micro enterprises / Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (Region V) for small enterprise / De Vera's Medical Center (Region II) for medium enterprises.
For the Industry Category: Carlo's Bamboocraft and Furnishing (CAR) and Maruth Footwear (Region IV-A) for micro enterprises / Wellmade Motors and Development Corp. (Region VII) for small enterprises / Vjandep Bakeshop (Region X) for medium enterprises.
Said productivity champions received cash prizes, trophies and priority endorsements to DOLE trainings.
Posted: October 30, 2009
NWPC holds Forum on Wages and Productivity
Amidst recent incidences of market failure and natural catastrophes, the government
remains to be the country’s champion in safeguarding the needs of our minimum wage earners while simultaneously promoting greater productivity and gainsharing for faster recovery of affected industries as well as their workers.
With this, the National Wages and Productivity Forum (NWPC) will hold a National Tripartite Wages and Productivity Policy Forum on 28 October 2009 to be attended by industry heads, government officials, labor leaders, and the press. This event aims to review current minimum wage and productivity trends for identifying directions towards sound and responsive government reforms.
The said forum is divided into two (2) parts with the morning session focusing on the topic of minimum wage fixing while the afternoon portion is dedicated to productivity and gainsharing.
For the morning session, an esteemed guest from the International Labor Organization (ILO) Geneva will be discussing the global perspective and issues on minimum wage. Subsequent topics such as evaluation of criteria for minimum wage fixing, assessing its outcomes and its political dimension will be to tackled by respectable academicians from the country’s premier university – the University of the Philippines.
For the afternoon portion, another guest from ILO Bangkok will be talking about the global trends on improving worker productivity followed by a showcase of local interventions geared towards upgrading the country’s competitiveness by an official from the National Competitiveness Council (NCC). Speaking engagements for both topics will be immediately followed by reactions from distinguished leaders of the labor, employment, and government sectors including a former Senator.
The whole day forum will be held at the Bayview Hotel along Roxas Boulevard in Manila City. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. with the event open to the public.
Posted: October 23, 2009
Presidential Citation for ISTIV
As a testament to its efforts and accomplishment, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) was finally given the recognition it truly deserves when no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recognized the contribution of ISTIV (Industrious, Systematic, Time-conscious, Innovative, Strong Value for Work) a flagship productivity program of NWPC.
ISTIV is a values-driven human resource strategy aimed at enhancing the global
competitiveness of our small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
President Arroyo awarded the Presidential Citation for Best Practices in MSME Promotion and Development to ISTIV during the opening of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MSMED) Week at the Megatrade Hall 3 of SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
ISTIV was recognized for best practices in improving productivity and efficiency in view of its significant contribution to the groth of micro, small and medium enterpises thereby creating economic opportunities that uplift the quality of life of the Filipino workers and their families.
The award is very timely as ISTIV turns 10 this year, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the NWPC. To date, the program has already benefited some 40,000 company owners, managers, supervisors and workers since 1900.
According to NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, the ISTIV productivity improvement program has contributed in improving the skills of the workers, postering positive work attitude which resulted into higher output and sales of SMEs throughout the country as well as compliance with occupational safety and health standards.
Aside from NWPC, the President also awarded nine successful enterprises and cited 25 other MSME best practices nationwide.
The awarding ceremony is part of the week-long celebration of the MSMED Week held every second week of July in pursuance of Republic Act No. 9501 (otherwise known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs), which the President signed into law May last year.
Posted: July 10, 2009
Service Quality for Key Employment Generators (KEGs) - Hotel and Restaurant Industry launched
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) yesterday launched the Service Quality for Key Employment Generators (KEGs) to improve the skills and knowledge of workforce in service-oriented industries through "error-free" service.
The Service Quality Program is a management tool that enables firms to improve their service delivery through continues skills development program and cost efficiency strategies.
According to Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Secretary Marianito D. Roque, tne program is apt and timely as it supplement the efforts to further boost the tourism industry which is considered as a driving force of the Philippine economy.
Last week, President Gloria Arroyo announce the foreign tourist arrival for the last four years had grown by an average of 10.6 percent.
NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, explained that Service Quality for KEGs aims to further strengthen the tourism industry by instilling "softskills" to its workforce; and help bridge the job-skills mismatch gap in the business.
With the SQ Program, tourists will experience customers' delight during their stay in the country's local hotels and restaurants. As the quality of service level up to international standards, tourist are expected to flock the country. This, in turn, means more incomes and more jobs.
The SQ program will address the paucity of highly qualified workers. Thus, it will contribute in addressing the perennial problem of job-skills mismatch and creating the much-needed employment in the country.
"For a labor-surplus country like the Philippines, workforce productivity/competitiveness serves as a major catalyst of growth. As such, it is imperative that strategic measures that would further hone and optimize the human resource contributions should be undertaken," explained Lagunzad.
As the SQ Program's initial offering, focus will be on enhancing and upgrading the capacities of the workforce in the hotel and restaurant industry.
Posted: March 09, 2009
NWPC holds Sectoral Consultation to assess the Impact of Financial Crisis
In order to assess the impact of the financial crisis at the national, regional and industry/sectoral levels and to formulate regional action plans as inputs to wage and productivity policy reforms and updates to the DOLE Contingency Plan, the DOLE through the National Wages and Productivity Commission conducted area-based consultations by convening the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards in Luzon and Visayas.
The Luzon consultation was held on 19-21 November 2008 in Baguio City while the Visayas consultation was done on 9-11 December 2008 in Cebu City. On the other
hand, the Mindanao consultation is scheduled on 17-19 December 2008 in Davao City.
Resource speakers from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Economic Development Authority and the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics were invited to shed light on the effects of the global financial crisis at the national level.
The data presented indicate that the Philippines will not be spared from the financial crisis. On a positive note, the Philippines is only projected to go into slowdown rather than recession due to small direct exposure to US subprime mortgages and structured-credit products, expansion of other trading partners and improved and prudent monetary and fiscal policies.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas identified the sources of resilience of the Philippines such as domestic demand as domestic growth contributor, easing inflationary pressures, manageable external payments position, and well-capitalized banking system, among others.
Despite the optimism, there are sectors that appear to be most vulnerable to the effects of the financial crisis particularly overseas Filipino workers and the commodities export sector. An estimate of more than one million Filipinos, mostly OFWs, might be displaced primarily as a result of the slowdown in the world economy and export demand.
Based on the regional assessment reports, employers are already looking for ways to reduce production costs including labor costs. The recurring coping mechanism for companies is the adoption of flexible working arrangements such as job rotation, compressed workweek and forced leaves in order to prevent retrenchment.
After the regional assessment, the Regional Boards had a workshop to reformulate their respective action plans given the macroeconomic situation and operationalize the terms of the plan by specifying the timelines and funding requirements. Since most of the programs and projects that are enrolled are already existing ones, the participants were challenged to strategize and compress the timeline of implementation in anticipation of the adverse effects of the crisis.
For the Visayas consultation, Director Dominique Tutay presented the DOLE Contingency Plan for the appreciation of the participants and to ensure coherence that the regional action plans are coherent with the same. Mr. Nicanor Bon of the Bureau of Working Conditions gave an overview of the flexible work arrangements as a recurring coping mechanisms at the firm level while Director Criselda Sy of the Bureau of Local Employment discussed the DOLE Quick Response Team, Phil-JOBNet and the proposed National Skills Registry System.
During the discussions, issues on wages such as the staggered payment of wages, the extension of the exemption of distressed companies and potential job loss as basis for
exempting a company from wage increases were also raised. The NWPC has been directed to discuss the said issues and come up with possible policy reforms to make the wage policy more relevant and responsive to the needs of the times.
Diskwento for DOLE Employees
The employees of the Department of Labor and Employment enjoy discounted prices on basic commodities through the “Diskwento: Panalo ang Mangagawang Pilipino, ”a Non-Wage Benefit project aimed to improve workers’ access to basic consumer products at affordable prices.”
The Diskwento Consumer Caravan which will be held in front of the DOLE Building at Muralla St., Intramuros Manila on November 28, 2008, is part of the DOLE Anniversary countdown. DOLE will celebrateb its 75th year on December 8, 2008.
DOLE employees and their families will enjoy discounted products, giveaways, and free services from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, during the consumer caravan which is held in response to President Gloria Arroyo’s call to provide non-wage benefits to employees and their families as income extenders.
According to Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Diskwento essentially seeks to ease the burden of high and rising prices of basic consumer products on employees’ purchasing power and to improve employees’ access to basic and prime commodities through the mobilization of retail outlets selling basic food and non-food consumer items at low prices. Diskwento also intends to involve the private sector in delivering affordable basic and prime commodities to employees.
Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III of the National Wages and Productivity Commission, said that the first Diskwento which was held along Highway 54 was a success with over 20 manufacturers and companies participating. He explained that Diskwento will be conducted every first and fifteenth of the month for 2008 in different areas in the country.
Diskwento, a joint project of NWPC and DOLE-NCR, is participated in by about 20 manufacturers/suppliers such as NFA (rice sugar and cooking oil) and Bureau of Plant Industry (seedlings) and Department of Agriculture (vegetables), RFM, San Miguel-Purefoods, Nestle, Unilever, Universal Robina Corp., Universal Canning, Mega Fishing, Century Canning Corp, Silver Swan, Mekeni, Tentay, Gardenia, Spring, Marca Leon cooking oil, Abott, Botika-ng-Bayan (pharmaceuticals), Coca Cola, Antonio Pueyo
Chocolate Products, Rebisco, Limketkai, and Nestle.
Lagunzad revealed that , in the immediate future, mobile caravans will be deployed in work centers such as EPZs, factory zones, etc. to enhance employees’ access
All workers within the area of the mobile caravans can buy products of participating manufacturer of up to P1,500.
NWPC awards 2008 Productivity Champions
The National Wages and Productivity Commission yesterday awarded the National Champions of the Productivity Olympics for small, medium and micro enterprises.
Seven small, medium and micro enterprises vested 43 other nominees for the prestigious Productivity Olympic Award for Best People in Development and Be Business Excellence.
The winners for each category are: Best in People Development - Natomo Manufacturing (Region 1) for micro enterprises; Add Research Paints and Chemicals, Inc. (Region 4-A) and Tropics Agro Industries (Region 5) for small enterprises; and Cagayan Valley Sanitarium (Region 2) for medium enterprises.
For Best in Business Excellence, the winners are – Kuya Orly’s Cafe and Restaurant (CAR), Velomer Poultry Breeded Farms (Region 10) and SLERS Industries, Inc. (Region 10).
Aside from the special trophy, a cash prize of P100,000 were awarded to the winners during the ceremonies at the Makati Skyline, World Trade Center.
In determining the winners for Best in People Development, the judges decided on the basis of: People trained as part of Productivity Program, employment generated (increase in total employment and share of regular workers), Gainsharing schemes (number of workers covered and increase in the amount of bonus).
On the other hand, the nominees in the Business Excellence category, the nominees were judged based on: Revenues, production per person per hour, compliance to business standards, awards for business excellence and welfare programs.
The Productivity Olympics which is organized by the NWPC in coordination with all its Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards, is a national competition of good productivity practices focused on people development and business excellence of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME), nationwide. For the years 2007-2008, the
theme of the productivity contest is “Improving Philippine Productivity for Competitiveness”.
According to NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, the Productivity Olympics aims to intensify national awareness on the importance of productivity improvement towards global competitiveness and economic development and stimulate the competitive spirit of the MSMEs to align themselves with global companies.
The finalist for the Productivity Olympics are:
For People Development Category: Micro Enterprises- Natomo Manufactuirng (Region 1) and Kuya Orly’s Café and Restaurant (CAR); Small Enterprises- Naduma Enterprises, Inc (CAR) and Claveria Grass roots Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Region 2), Tropic Agro Industrial Inc. (Region V), Add Research Paints and Chemical Inc (Region 4-A). Medium Enterprises- Cagayan Valley Sanitarium and Hospital (Region 2), Philippine Advanced Processing (Region 4-A) and Cagayan Valley Sanitarium and Hospital (Region 2)
For Business Excellence: Micro Enterprises- Kuya Orly’s Café and Restaurant and Edna Aragon Footwear Store; Small Enterprises- Ishida Phils Grating Cor., Sanoh Fulton Phils. (region 4-A), Darling Food Products and Velomer Poutry Breeder Farms (Region X); Medium Enterprises- Cagayan Valley Sanitarium and Hospital (Region2), Philippine Advanced Processing Technology, Inc (Region 4-A) and SLER Industries (Region X)
NCR Wage Order takes effect June 14, 2008
The National Wages and Productivity said that the new wage hike for minimum wage workers in the private sector in the National Capital Region (NCR) took effect Saturday, (June 14, 2008).
NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunbzad III said the effectivity of the wage hike is based on Wage Order No. 14, issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the NCR, which granted a P20 per day increase for minimum wage workers in private sector in the region on May 16.Roque said that the P20 wage increase consists of P15 increase in the basic pay, and P5 cost-of-living-allowance (COLA) which will be automatically integrated into the basic pay on August 28, 2008.
Amidst the development, the Labor Chief cited an earlier report of DOLE National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III that all wage boards in the nation's 17 regions have completed the new wage rounds.
Roque said that on top of the NCR, these are the wage boards, respectively, in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Region I (Ilocos), Region II (Cagayan Valley), Region III (Central Luzon), Region IV-A (CALABARZON), Region IV-B (MIMAROPA), Region V (Bicol), Region VI (Western Visayas), Region VII (Central Visayas), Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region X (Northern Mindanao), Region XI (Davao Region), Region XII (SOCKSARGEN), Region XIII (CARAGA), and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
Roque was apprised by Lagunzad that, after completing their deliberations, the wage boards in the said regions have granted wage increases to the minimum wage workers in the private sector, as follows: Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)- P10 and P15 additional COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 27; Region I (Ilocos)- P10 COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 29;
Region II (Cagayan Valley)- P12 wage increase was granted by the Regional Board on May 22, along with integration of the P8 COLA under Wage Order (WO) No. RTWPB II-9 into the basic wage upon effectivity of the Order; Region III (Central Luzon)- P15 increase (P10 in the basic pay and P5 COLA) was granted by the Regional Board on May 21, along with integration of the P9 COLA under WO No. RB III-13 into the basic wage upon effectivity of the Order; Region IV-A (CALABARZON)- P12 to P20 increase in the basic pay was granted by the Regional Board on May 14; Region IV-B (MIMAROPA)- P10 wage increase for all sectors, and P5.00 COLA for non-agriculture sector only, was granted by the Regional Board on May 21; Region V (Bicol)- P13 COLA (P6 to be integrated to the basic wage 6 months after effectivity) was granted by the Regional Board on May 29; Region VI (Western Visayas)- P15 Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA) was granted by the Regional Board on May 22; Region VII (Central Visayas)- P17 increase in basic pay was granted by the Regional Board on May 22; Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)- P10 COLA additional COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 20; Region IX- (Zamboanga Peninsula)- P5 basic pay and P10 COLA (for a period of three months, thereafter integration of P5 out of the P10 COLA under WO No. IX-14 into the basic pay); Region X (Northern Mindanao)- P12 COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 14, along with integration of the P16 COLA under WO No. RX-12 to the basic wage upon effectivity of the Order, and integration of the P10 COLA under WO No. RBX-13 on November 16, 2008; Region XI (Davao Region)- P15 COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 21, along with integration of the P16 COLA under WO No. RTWPB XI-13 upon effectivity of the Order, and integration of the P10 COLA under WO No. RTWPB XI-14 on September 16, 2008; Region XII (SOCKSARGEN)- P7 to P10.50 increase in basic pay, and P3 to P5 COLA, was granted by the Regional Board on May 22; Region XIII (CARAGA)- P8 increase in basic pay and P5 additional COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 28, 2008; and, ARMM- P10 increase in the basic pay.
Posted: June 12, 2008
Regional Boards complete Wage Issuances
The National Wages and Productivity Commission said that the wage boards have completed their wage deliberations and granted wage hikes to the minimum wage workers in the private sector.NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III said that the 17 regions have granted wage hikes as follows:
National Capital Region (NCR) - P20 increase (P15 on the basic pay and P5 cost of living allowance or COLA to be integrated to the basic pay on August 28, 2008) was granted by the Regional Board on May 16, 2008;
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) - P10 and P15 additional COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 27;
Region I (Ilocos) - P10 COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 29; Region II (Cagayan Valley) - P12 wage increase was granted by the Regional Board on
May 22, along with integration of the P8 COLA under Wage Order (WO) No. RTWPB II-9 into the basic wage upon effectivity of the Order;
Region III (Central Luzon) - P15 increase (P5 in the basic pay and P10 COLA) was granted by the Regional Board on May 21, along with integration of the P9 COLA under WO No. RB III-13 into the basic wage upon effectivity of the Order;
Region IV-A (CALABARZON) - P12 to P20 increase in the basic pay was granted by the Regional Board on May 14;
Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) - P10 wage increase for all sectors, and P5.00 COLA for non-agriculture sector only, was granted by the Regional Board on May 21;
Region V (Bicol) - P13 COLA (P6 to be integrated to the basic wage 6 months after effectivity) was granted by the Regional Board on May 29;
Region VI (Western Visayas) - P15 Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA) was granted by the Regional Board on May 22;
Region VII (Central Visayas) - P17 increase in basic pay was granted by the Regional Board on May 22;
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) - P10 COLA additional COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 20;
Region IX- (Davao Region) – P5 basic pay and P10 COLA (for a period of three months; thereafter integration of P5 out of the P10 COLA under XO No. IX-14 into the basic pay).
Region X (Northern Mindanao) - P12 COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 14, along with integration of the P16 COLA under WO No. RX-12 to the basic wage upon effectivity of the Order, and integration of the P10 COLA under WO No. RBX-13 on November 16, 2008;
Region XI (Davao Region) - P15 COLA was granted by the Regional Board on May 21, along with integration of the P16 COLA under WO No. RTWPB XI-13 upon effectivity of the Order, and integration of the P10 COLA under WO No. RTWPB XI-14 on September 16, 2008;
Region XII (SOCKSARGEN) - P7 to P10.50 increase in basic pay, and P3 to P5 COLA, was
granted by the Regional Board on May 22; and, Region XIII (CARAGA) - P8 increase in basic pay and P5 additional COLA was granted by
the Regional Board on May 28, 2008. ARMM- P10 increase in the basic pay.
Posted: June 05, 2008
Regional Boards 6, 8, 12 Approve Wage Adjustment
The National Wages and Productivity Commission announced today that three more Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards have approved the wage adjustments in their respective regions.
According to Esther F. Guirao, Officer-in-Charge of the NWPC, the Regional Boards in Western Visayas or Region VI, Central Visayas or Region VII and SOCKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Koronadal, Saranggani and General Santos) or Region 12 granted increases in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector.
The new wage orders brings to 11 the total of wage issuances of the Regional Boards this month. Earlier, Regional Boards NCR, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 8, 10 and 11 granted increases to minimum wage earners.
The Regional Board in Western Visayas approved Wage Order RTWPB VI-16 granting a P15.00 Emergency Relief Allowance (ERA) per day, while the Central Visayas regional board granted a P17.00 per day increase in the basic pay. The Regional Board in SOCKSARGEN, on the other hand, approved a P7.00 to P10.50 per day increase in the basic pay and an additional P3.00 to P5.00 cost of living allowance per day.
Upon effectivity of the new wage order in Western Visayas, the minimum wage in the sugar industry will range from P208-250 per day inclusive of the P15.00 ERA. Non-agriculture and retail/service establishment workers will get P250 per day while those in the agriculture sector will receive P118.00 per day inclusive of the P15.00 ERA.
In the new wage order, minimum wage earners in Central Visayas in the non-agricultural sector will range from P222.00 to 267.00 per day while those in the agriculture sector will range from P222.00 to 249.00 per day depending on the area classification
Bsed on the new wage order which was approved unanimously by the SOCKSARGEN Regional Board, the total compensation of private sector workers in SOCKSARGEN will be P245.00 per day in the non-agriculture, P220.00 to 225.00 per day in the agriculture, and P219.00 per day to 222.00 in the retail/service establishments inclusive
of P3.00 to P5.00 cola per day.
The new minimum wage rates, according to the latest wage orders, applies to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region regardless of their position, designation or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.
Only six Regional Boards are yet to issue their wage orders, as follows: Cordillera Administrative Region, 1, 5, 9 , 13 and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.
Posted: May 23, 2008
Regions 3, 8 Wage Hike
The National Wages and Productivity Commission announced yesterday that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards in Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas approved the wage adjustments in their respective areas for minimum wage earners in the private sector.
According to NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, Regions III and VIII have issued new wage orders which will increase the minimum wage rates in their respective regions.
The Regional Board in Central Luzon approved Wage Order RBIII-14 which will grant an increase of P15.00 per day in the minimum wage rate of the said region.
The P15.00 per day increase is composed of an additional P5.00 in the basic pay and P10.00 cost of living allowance. The previous P9.00 cola under Wage Order RB III-13 will be integrated to the basic pay upon effectivity of the new wage order.
The total compensation of non-agriculture sector workers in Region III will be P302.00 per day while those in the agricultural plantation will have P272.00 and plantation P256.00 inclusive of the P10.00 cola per day. Workers in the retail/service sector will get 291.00, and manufacturing sector is from P325.00 to P345.00 including the P10.00 per day cola.
The Regional Board in Central Visayas, on the other hand, granted an increase of P10 per day in the cost of living allowance for the minimum wage earners in the said region. The said amount will be added to the P8.00 cola which was approved under Wage Order RBVIII No. 14 last year.
Lagunzad said the amount was unanimously approved by the wage board, whose membership is composed of representatives from the Department of labor and
Employment (DOLE), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), labor and employers group.
Under the new wage order, minimum wage earners in Eastern Visayas will receive P238.00, inclusive of the P18.00 cost of living allowance (COLA) per day. The previous minimum wage rate in the said area was P220.00.
Workers who are employed in the sugar mills will get P240.00 per day while those in the plantation and non-plantation will be given P213.50 and 198.50 per day , respectively, inclusive of the P18.00 COLA per day.
The new minimum wage rate per day, including the P18.00 cola, of the Agriculture (non-sugar) sector workers will be P219.00 while those in the retail/service establishments which are employing 10 workers and below will have P207.00. Cottage/handicraft industry workers, on the other hand, will get P216.00 per day.
Lagunzad noted that the new wage order in Central Visayas does not have provision for exemption.
He explained that in the latest wage orders, the regional wage boards in Regions III and VIII resolved to respond to the urgent need to provide for a wage hike for minimum wage earners to help them cope with price increases without impairing the viability of business in their regions.
The new minimum wage rates, according to the latest wage orders, applies to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region regardless of their position, designation or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid.
The new wage order brings to five the total of wage issuances of the Regional Boards this month. Earlier, Regional Boards X, IV-A and NCR granted increases to minimum wage earners.
Region X granted an additional P12 cost of living allowance (COLA) to all minimum wage earners in the region. The Northern Mindanao regional wage board also integrated the existing COLA of P16 to the basic wage of workers to bring the level of the minimum wage rate to P244 per day.
Region IV-A approved Wage Order No. IVA-13 which granted an increase of P 12.00-20.00 in their daily basic pay depending on the area, category and sector. Upon effectivity of the new wage order, the highest minimum basic wage in the Calabarzon region will be P320 per day.
The Regional Board in NCR, on the other hand, has approved a P20.00 increase in the minimum wage of Metro Manila workers through Wage Order No. 14 . The wage increase will compose of P15.00 in the basic pay and P5.00 in the cost of living
allowance. The minimum wage hike will bring the total compensation of minimum wage earners in the non-agriculture sector in Metro Manila from P362.00 ay to 382.00 pesos per day while those in the agricultural, retail/service, and manufacturing sector is from P325.00 to P345.00.
Updated: May 22, 2008
Learning Session on Wage Order NCR 14
Issues and clarifications on the implementation of Wage Order No. 14 in the National Capital Region will be clarified by the National Wages and Productivity Commission in the Learning Sessions which will be held on May 28, 2008 at the 11th floor of the G.E. Antonino Bldg., T.M. Kalaw cor. Jorge Bocobo St. Ermita, Manila
As provided in Wage Order NCR 14 which took effect on July 11, 2006, all private sector workers and employees in the National Capital Region (NCR) will receive daily wages between P350 and P313.
The said wage order increased the prevailing daily rate for minimum wage workers in NCR from P362 to P382 inclusive of the P5.00 cost of living allowance.
A minimal fee of P500.00 per participant will be charged to cover snacks, materials and venue rental. Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register as seats are limited.
According to Executive Director Ciriaco A.Lagunzad III, the learning session will give participants informed knowledge and understanding of the implementation of the new wage order which was issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) as well as appreciation of the importance of productivity in boosting the success potentials of any organization. The project also aims to familiarize the public on the various services, programs, accomplishments and plans of the Commission.
The learning sessions which will be held from 1 to 5 pm will feature new and relevant topics every month, including correcting wage distortions, exemptions, overtime and holidays pays, premiums and other wager-related matters.
For any queries regarding the activity please contact the Information and Publication Division at telephone numbers 527-8011-17 loc. 103/104 and telefax no. 527-5139 or at log on towww.nwpc.dole.gov.ph
NCR Workers Get Pay Hike
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in the National Capital Region (NCR) approved yesterday Wage Order 14 increasing the amount in minimum wage for private workers in the said region.
According to Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque, the Regional Board in NCR approved a P20.00 increase in the minimum wage of Metro Manila workers.
With the approval of Wage Order No. 14, the additional P15.00 in the basic pay and P5.00 in the cost of living allowance will bring the total compensation of minimum wage earners in the non-agriculture sector in Metro Manila from P362.00 ay to 382.00 pesos per day while those in the agricultural, retail/service, and manufacturing sector is from P325.00 to P345.00.
The new wage order does not cover household or domestic helpers and others in the personal service of another, including family drivers and workers of registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs) hired after its effectivity.
Regional Director Raymundo Agravante said the amount was reached by the wage board, whose membership is composed of representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), labor and employers group with the goal of preserving jobs and providing additional benefits to workers.
He added that the increase will take effect 15 days after the publication of Wage Order No. NCR-14 in a newspaper of general circulation
There are an estimated five million minimum wage earners in the country and majority of them are in Metro Manila,.
Lagunzad also said that the other regional wage boards are expected to announce their decision in the following weeks
Posted: May 16, 2008
CALABARZON Workers get P20 pay hike
WORKERS in the private sector in the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) will receive pay adjustments following the release of Wage Order No. IVA-13 by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in the said region, the National
Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said today.
According to NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, Wage Order No. IVA-13 granted an increase of P 12.00-20.00 in their daily basic pay depending on the area, category and sector.
The wage increase will take effect sometime next month or 15 days after the publication of the new wage order in a newspaper of general circulation. Upon effectivity, the highest minimum wage rate in the region will be P320.00 per day.
The said wage order stated that minimum wage earners in specific areas in Calabarzon will get additional increases: Growth Corridor Area - P16.00-20.00 per day; Emerging Growth Area - P14.00; and Resource Based Area, P12.00 per day.
Lagunzad said that the Regional Board took into consideration the increases in the prices of products and services brought about by the shortages in supply , high importation costs, and upward trend in world market prices.
He added that Regional Board which is a tripartite body, had exhaustive consultations with various representatives from both labor and employer sectors and other stakeholders across the regions to ensure the continued employment of the workers and viability of business in Calabarzon.
The Regional Board which was motivated to respond to the urgency of the issue, supported by the results of its overall assessment of the socio-economic condition in the region, declared the existence of supervening condition on April 17, 2008. The declaration allowed the Regional Board to review the wage level anew in less than one year.
The new minimum wage rates, according to the order, shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region "regardless of their position, designation or status and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid."
Expressly exempted from the provisions of the wage order are household or domestic helpers and persons in the personal service of another, including family drivers, and workers of Barangay Micro Business Enterprises (BMBEs). Upon application with the Regional Board, new business enterprises, distressed establishments and exporters may be exempted from compliance with the new wage increase.
Wage Order 4A-13 also encourages the implementation of a productivity and gainsharing programs at the enterprise level to increase the net take home pay of the workers and enhance the competitiveness of business.
Posted: May 15, 2008
Supervening Condition declared in Region 4-A
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Region IV has declared a ”supervening condition” that requires an adjustment in the minimum wage of workers in CALABARZON.
According to the National Wages and Productivity Commission, RTWPB IV-A has affirmed through a resolution, the existence of a supervening condition in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
The affirmation of the supervening condition means that the Regional Board will convene and grant a salary increase within 30 days.
NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III said that without the declaration of the supervening condition, the wage board is mandated to resolve whether or not to grant a salary increase with in 60 to 90 days.
RTWPB IV-A is set to conduct a public hearing on May 13, 2008.
The Regional Board in the National Capital Region has likewise declared a “supervening condition” last Tuesday (April 22, 2008) and will meet next week to deliberate on the amount and form of increase in the minimum wage of workers in the NCR.
As a general rule, any Wage Order issued by the Regional Boards may not be disturbed for a period of twelve (12) months from its effectivity, and no petition for a wage increase shall be entertained within the said period. In the event, however, that supervening conditions, such as extraordinary increase in prices of petroleum products and basic goods/services, demand a review of the minimum wage rates as determined by the Board and confirmed by the Commission, the Board shall proceed to exercise its wage fixing function even before the expiration of the said period.
Meanwhile, Lagunzad said that the Regional Board in Caraga (Region 13) has received a petition for an increase in the minimum wage. Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) filed a P125,00 across-the-board wage hike for the said region.
The wage hike petition cited the need to help workers cope up with the rising cost of living and the demand of workers to recoup their lost purchasing power which eroded due to spiraling cost of oil, rice and other basic commodities.
Lagunzad added that the rest of the Regional Boards are continually monitoring and reviewing the wage situation in the country , and in coordination with other government
agencies, are monitoring and assessing the wage situation across the country based on national and regional socio-economic indicators.
Posted: April 24, 2008
4 Wage Hike Petitions filed
The National Wages and Productivity Commission yesterday said that four petitions for increases in the minimum wage have been filed with the different Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards.
The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) has recently filed petitions to increase the minimum wage in the different regions. The Regional Board in NCR and Cagayan de Oro (Region 10) were the latest to receive across-the-board petitions for a wage increase of P80.00 and P100.00, respectively.
TUCP and National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines or NACUSIP also filed a P50.00 wage increase in Region 6. Alliance of Progressive Labor, ALU-TUCP, on the other hand, petitioned for a P150.45 increase in the minimum wage in Central Visayas (Region 7).
The wage hike petition cited the need to help workers cope up with the rising cost of living and the demand of workers to recoup their lost purchasing power which eroded due to spiraling cost of oil, rice and other basic commodities.
Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III of the National Wages and Productivity Commission said that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards are ready to provide win-win options to resolve the current wage issue.
Lagunzad said that the Regional Boards are regularly assessing the socio-economic situation to come up with the best possible options that will benefit both the worker and employer sectors.
“The Boards are continually performing the delicate and difficult task of balancing the interests of workers and employers, as well as of government. The Boards have constantly uphold the mandate of providing a decent standard of living for workers and ensuring the survival and viability of businesses, more so, of micro, small and medium enterprises,” explained Lagunzad.
Lagunzad also explained that in setting the minimum wage, the Regional Boards take into consideration various socio-economic indicators to ensure a fair and reasonable wage adjustment. The criteria include needs of workers and their families, capacity to
pay of employers, and other critical indicators of national development such as gross domestic product, employment/unemployment, inflation and price movements, and if any of these factors were neglected it will indicate negative implications to the country's economy.
Wage Orders issued by the Regional Boards may not be disturbed for a period of 12 months from its effectivity and no petition for a wage hike will be entertained within that period. However, the Boards can exercise their wage fixing function and review the minimum wage rates even before the one-year expiration period if there is an extraordinary increase in the prices of petroleum products and basic commodities and services or in the event of a supervening condition.
Earlier, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered the regional wage boards to convene and consider a possible wage hike to help both management and labor to cope with the existing economic situation.
The President has also provided debt relief for Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System members by extending the condonation period for the unpaid salary and housing loans for one year. She also told Congress to hasten the approval of the bill granting tax exemptions for minimum wage earners,
In NCR, the last daily wage increase was in the amount of P12 in August last year, raising the basic pay to P362 per day.
Posted: April 16, 2008
RTWPBs monitor Wage Situation
The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) are continually monitoring and reviewing the wage situation in the country.
According to NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III, the 17 Regional Boards, in coordination with other government agencies, are monitoring and assessing the wage situation across the country based on national and regional socio-economic indicators. Workers are clamoring for a wage hike due to increases in the cost of goods following a surge in prices of oil and domestic products.
Lagunzad also said that the decision to raise or not to raise wages will depend on the Regional Boards based on their assessment of the economic needs of the workers, the capacity of the employers to pay a wage increase, and the development requirements of
the region.
He explained that while the policy of minimum wage fixing is to protect the purchasing power of low-income workers, it is also aimed at preserving existing jobs.
Lagunzad added that there should be a balance between providing a decent standard of living for workers and ensuring the survival and viability of business, more so, of small and medium enterprises.
Wage Orders issued by the Regional Boards may not be disturbed for a period of 12 months from its effectivity and no petition for a wage hike will be entertained within that period. However, the Board can exercise its wage fixing function and review the minimum wage rates even before the one-year expiration period if there is an extraordinary increase in the prices of petroleum products and basic commodities and services or in the event of a supervening condition.
In the NCR, the minimum wage was adjusted 15 times since 1989, the increases ranging from a low of P12.00 to a high of P26.50. The minimum wage compensation in NCR is P362 after the latest increase of P12.00 per day was granted by the Board on August 28, 2007.
Congress last enacted a minimum wage law in 1989, increasing the national minimum wage from P64.00 to P89.00. Since then, it has delegated the power to determine the minimum wage to the RTWPBs.
Posted: April 8, 2008
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