ALU-TUCP asks Caraga wage board P125 increase for workers

Butuan City (May 30) — The Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) recently filed a petition to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) Caraga for a wage increase of 125 pesos.

During the public hearing on Minimum Wage Adjustment Petition recently held in one of the local convention centers here, the ALU-TUCP presented their petition before the RTWPB, representatives from the labor and management sectors, academe, and regional line agencies.

Among the board members who were present during the public hearing were Chairperson and Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Regional Director Chona Mantilla, Vice Chairperson and department of trade and Industry Regional Director Brielgo Pagaran, Vice Chairperson and National Economic Development Authority Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco, Management Sector Representative Mr. Jorge Uy, Labor Sector representatives Mr. Joselito Soriano and Mr. Rolando Dahang, and a member from the secretariat Mr. Sisinio Cano, Board Secretary VI.

The public hearing was divided into three parts. Preliminaries and presentation of Wage Fixing process and Regional Economic Situationer, while the second and third parts were the Consultation Proper and the Open Forum.

ALU-TUCP Regional Vice President Nicardo Borja said the board and its members should acknowledge the efforts of the workers since the region seems to be improving economically.

“Because of the country’s present situation where prices of basic commodities and gasoline were getting higher, we are pushed to file a petition for 125 pesos across the board wage increase to our workers,” Borja added.

Meanwhile, some members from the management sectors opposed to the proposed 125 pesos wage increase by ALU-TUCP but are open for negotiation. Some of these companies were the Andres Soriano Colleges, Taganito Mining Corporation and PICOP Resources Incorporated.

“We ask the board members to please allow our workers to have and to enjoy the 125 pesos across the board wage increase for we, in the ALU-TUCP really felt the need of our people,” Borja said.

“In case the board members approve the proposed 125 pesos across the board wage increase by ALU-TUCP, it will be published and after 15 days of publication, a wage order from RTWPB shall be sent to labor and management sectors for its effectivity,” Cano said.

As of this time, the RTWPB said that they are still on the process of deliberating each presentation both sides from the labor and management sectors. (Jennifer P. Gaitano, PIA-Caraga)