RTWPB-7 starts wage determination process

CEBU, Philippines — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-7 has decided on its own volition to commence the wage determination process.

In a Notice of Public Hearing issued by chairperson Lilia A. Estillore and published last Saturday, the body set five public hearings on the proposed wage increase.

The first hearing is at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 20 at the annex to the main dining hall of the DepEd Ecotech Center in Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City, followed eight days later at the same time at the Balamban, Cebu Municipal Hall s roof deck.

On Aug. 30, or two days after the hearing in Balamban, the third schedule would take place at 8:30 a.m. inside the Captain Hall 1 at the second floor of the Capitancillo Caf  and Restaurant in Bogo City, Cebu.

The fourth public hearing is at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, at Jordan 1, Bethel Guest House, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, while the fifth one is also on Sept. 3 at 8:30 a.m. at the grand ballroom of The MetroCentre Hotel and Convention Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

In a statement, RTWPB-7 said that on top of discussing the issue on minimum wage adjustment, the Board will also solicit the stakeholders  position on the possible simplification of the wage structure.

To date, Region VII has six different rates, the third-most number of minimum wage rates nationwide.

The series of public hearings is part of the Board s mandate to periodically review the minimum wages in the region and if justified, to issue a wage order.

The public hearing is called to gather the general sentiments of the concerned stakeholders, which shall be taken into consideration when the Board makes its decision later,  RTWPB-7 said, in its statement.

Rule III, Section 3 of the National Wages and Productivity Commission Guidelines No. 3, Series of 2020 (The Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination) authorizes the conduct of public hearings as early as 60 days prior to the anniversary date of the current wage order.

The existing wage order, Wage Order No. ROVII-24, took effect last Oct.1, 202.

August 2, 2024 marks the beginning of the 60-day period when a public hearing may be conducted.

RTWPB-7 said the public hearings are open to all interested parties. Pre-registration and submission of position papers are highly encouraged.

Earlier, Estillore said that the wage board is most likely to grant another round of wage increase come October.

She said the seven members of the RTWPB-7 have already meet to comply with the marching order of President Ferdinand  Bongbong  Marcos, Jr. on Labor Day, May 1, 2024, for wage policy making bodies of the government to immediately review and adjust the wages of workers in the country.

Taking into consideration the impact of inflation on the labor sector, Marcos ordered the RTWPBs to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage rates in their respective regions.

He said that this should be done within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order.

In Central Visayas, the RTWPB-7 granted a P33 a day minimum wage effective Oct. 1, 2023.  (CEBU NEWS)