Bicol, Cordillera workers get pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in the Bicol region and the Cordilleras will receive increases in their daily take-home pay.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reported that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPB) approved new wage orders granting salary increases.

The RTWPB in Bicol approved an increase of P55 in the daily take-home pay of wage earners, which will be given in two tranches.

An adjustment of P35 will be given upon the effectivity of the wage order and the remaining P20 on Dec. 1.

The increase brought to P365 the new daily minimum wage in Bicol. The last salary increase for workers in the region was almost four years ago.

Aside from minimum wage earners, the wage board also increased the monthly pay of domestic workers in the region.

The wage board approved a monthly increase of P1,000 for household workers in chartered cities and first-class towns, and P1,500 in other municipalities.

The amounts brought the new monthly wage rate for Bicol domestic workers to P4,000.

Also yesterday, the DOLE reported that the RTWPB in the Cordilleras granted an increase of P50 to P60 in the daily minimum wage in the region.

DOLE information and publication service director Rolly Francia said the adjustment would be given in two tranches.

“The new wage order has been submitted to the National Wages and Productivity Commission for review,” Francia said.

Once confirmed, the new wage order will take effect 15 days after publication in major newspapers.