4 more regions approve wage adjustment

MANILA, Philippines—The regional tripartite wages and productivity boards in four more regions approved minimum wage rates for all employees in the private sector in these regions, the Department of Labor and Employment said Tuesday.

These are the wage boards of Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), Region 11 (Davao), Caraga, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the wage orders cover all minimum wage earners in these places regardless of their position, designation, or status, and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, and they will become effective 15 days from their publication.

In Northern Mindanao, workers were granted a P13 increase in the daily minimum wage and an integration of the P12 cost of living allowance (Cola) to the basic wage. Upon effectivity, the basic minimum wage per day of Region 10 workers in the non-agriculture industry in Wage Category I will be P269 from the previous P256, Wage Category II will be P264 from P251, Wage Category III will be P259 from P246, and Wage Category IV will be P254 from P241.

The minimum wage per day in the agriculture industry in Wage Category I will be P257 from P244, Wage category II will be P252, Wage Category III will be P247, and Wage Category IV will be P242.

Wage Category I comprises the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, and the municipalities of Tagoloan, Villanueva and Jasaan. Wage Category II is composed the cities of Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz, and the municipalities of Maramag, Quezon, and Manolo Fortich.

Wage Category III are the cities of Oroquieta and Tangub, and the municipalities of Lugait, Opol, and Mambajao. Wage Category IV are other areas not covered under the above categories.

In Davao, workers will get a P21 daily minimum wage increase. Upon effectivity, workers in the non-agriculture industry will receive a basic minimum wage of P286 per day from the previous minimum wage of P265 per day. Those in the agricultural industry will get P276 per day from the previous P255. Workers in the retail/service industry employing more than 10 workers will have P286 from the previous P265, while those employing not more than 10 workers will have P255 per day from the previous P234.

In Caraga, workers get a P10 wage increase and integration of the P10 Cola to the basic wage. Workers in the Non-agriculture industry will receive P243 from the previous minimum wage of P233. Those in the agriculture industry will get P233 and P213 in the plantation and non-plantation area, respectively, while those in the retail and service industry will receive P243 (employing 10 or more workers) and P213 (employing not more than 10 workers).

In the ARMM, the Regional Board approved a P12 per day wage hike for all sectors in the industry increasing the minimum wage to P222 per day from the previous P210.

Executive Director Ciriaco A. Lagunzad III of the National Wages and Productivity Council said that in case of wage distortion, those receiving above the minimum wage may also be given an adjustment in their wages after negotiation between the employer and the workers or union. –INQUIRER.net