Cagayan Valley workers get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Cagayan Valley will get a salary increase starting March 16, the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) announced yesterday.

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board approved the pay hike after a review of the prevailing socioeconomic conditions and public hearings, according to the NWPC.

“The wage board deemed it necessary to raise the lowest wage rates in the region to a level above the poverty threshold,” the NWPC said.

The daily wage of workers in the non-agriculture sector as well as retail and service establishments with more than 10 workers will be P370 beginning March 16. 

Those in the agriculture and retail service establishments employing less than 10 workers will receive a daily salary of P345. 

The salary adjustment will be given in two tranches, with the second tranche released on July 1.

The NWPC said the wage order would cover all minimum wage earners regardless of their position and status of employment.

Domestic helpers and those employed as registered barangay micro-business enteprises are not covered by the pay hike.

The wage order applies to workers in Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Batanes.