MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Region VIII will get a P7.00 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in their daily wage rate which will be effective on October 16.
This is according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) website.
The NWPC, in an article posted on their website www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph, said the increase is on top of the existing P15.00 COLA given during the previous Wage Order with the remaining P10.00 integrated to the basic pay per day. This brings up the minimum wage rates in the region from P213.50-P255.00 to P220.50-P262.00.
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board for Eastern Visayas (RTWPB-VIII) decided to grant the adjustment on its own in light of increases in oil prices, transportation fare and basic commodities.
NWPC also reported that Central Luzon (Region III) workers will also receive an increase in basic pay.
This, after the RTWPB in Central Luzon recently issued Wage Order No. RBIII-17 granting minimum wage earners a basic pay increase of P6.00 a day, plus an integration of the P24.00 Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) given under Wage Order No. RBIII-16.
Those employed in establishments with total assets of less than P30 million shall receive an additional basic wage increase of P6.50 a day.
Likewise, an additional basic pay increase of P8.00 a day shall be granted to minimum wage earners in Aurora province particularly in non-plantation and retail/service establishments employing less than 16 workers.
The new wage order pegs the highest daily compensation of non-agricultural workers in the region from P330.00 to P336.00.
RTWPB Chairman Raymundo G. Agravante said that the Board motu proprio conducted sectoral wage consultation and public hearing on July 19 and 26, 2012, respectively, to gather inputs on the wage issue to assist the Board in its review of the current wage level in the region.
“After a thorough study of the socio-economic situation, the Wage Board deemed it necessary to provide the workers with immediate relief from the rising costs of living taking into account the interests of both labor and management as well as the continued and sustained viability of business and industry in the region,” Agravante explained.
The latest issuance has removed garment-exporting firms from the list of establishments which may be granted exemption.
It takes effect on October 11, 2012. –LESLIE ANN G. AQUINO, Manila Bulletin
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