Southern Mindanao workers get additional allowance

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Private-sector workers in south-central Mindanao will get P15 in additional cost of living allowance (Cola) based on the latest order of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board.

Gloria Tango, Department of Labor director for the region, said the new wage order, which came out this month, was the first that the regional wage board issued in two years for workers in the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Saranggani; and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos.

Tango, also the board’s chair, said the Cola will be implemented in two installments, with the first release pegged at P10.

Tango said the initial amount will be reflected in payslips 15 days after the new wage order shall have been published. The remaining amount, she said, will be given to workers beginning April 2011.

Joel Gonzales, board secretary, said that with the additional P15 Cola, the new minimum wage rates in the region will become P260 for non-agriculture workers, P240 for plantation workers, P235 for non-plantation workers, P240 for retail/service establishments employing not more than 10 workers and P234 for retail/service establishments employing less than 10 people.

“The new wage hike will cover all minimum wage earners in the private sector in Region-12 regardless of their position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid,” Tango said. –Edwin Fernandez, Inquirer Mindanao