Calabarzon workers to receive pay hike

MANILA, Philippines — Minimum wage earners in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) are expected to receive an increase in their daily take-home pay starting next month.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Calabarzon has started the process for the wage adjustment.

Laguesma said a public consultation has been conducted on the pay petition of workers in the region.

He said the last wage order in Calabarzon was issued in September last year.

Citing a directive issued by President Marcos, Laguesma said the RTWPB is mandated to review the rates and issue an order within 60 days after the anniversary of the last wage order.

He said regional wage boards in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) have started the process on the call to increase the minimum wage.

RTWPBs in Ilocos, Western Visayas and Zamboanga peninsula will conduct a similar process next month, while those in the Cordilleras, Mimaropa, (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol and Eastern Visayas will start in October.

Wage boards in Northern Mindanao and Caraga will start the wage adjustment process in November and Davao region in January.

The Unity for Wage Increase Now Alliance urged the Calabarzon wage board to adopt a family living wage rate to lift the workers’ quality of life.