4 regional wage boards may grant pay hike in May

MANILA, Philippines - More workers will likely get a much-desired pay hike.

This after the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday said that at least four wage boards are set to grant salary increases.

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) in Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and MIMAROPA are now undertaking consultations for a possible wage adjustment.

“The next wage order is expected in CAR, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley and MIMAROPA where consultations for a possible salary increase is ongoing,” Baldoz said.

She said the wage board is expected to come out with the decision before the Labor Day celebration.

“Since it has already set a public hearing in April, the board in CAR is likely to come out with the next wage order although other wage boards are trying to come out with a decision by May 1,” Baldoz added.

The labor official noted that the wage board in Bicol region approved a new wage order, which took effect yesterday.

She said the wage board in SOCKSARGEN already issued a new wage order mandating the integration of the existing P15 cost of living allowance (COLA) to the basic pay.

“Aside from the integration of the previous COLA, the board also granted an additional P10 to P14 COLA in the daily income of minimum wage of workers in SOCKSARGEN,” Baldoz explained.

With the new salary adjustments, Baldoz said the current minimum wage in SOCKSARGEN is now pegged at P370.

Baldoz said workers in the National Capital Region (NCR), CALABARZON, Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao have filed petitions seeking salary increases.