5 regions want salary increase: Wage board (6:16 p.m.)

MANILA -- The National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) said five regions have filed a petition for salary adjustment this year.

NWPC Executive Director Ciriaco Lagunzad revealed that the National Capital Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula and Davao Region, have filed petitions for wage increase.

Another petition is set to be filed by Northern Mindanao also asking for salary increase.

Lagunsad said that wage increase for the rest of the regions may be approved without a petition being filed at their respective Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB).

“Historically, about half of the wage orders were issued through ‘motu propio’. This is in the initiative of the boards, as they conduct consultations, studies, hearings to find out whether there are already enough grounds to increase wages… so you can expect that (now),” he said.

Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) official noted that they have not set a timetable on when the regional wage boards will decide on whether or not approve a petition, saying that it would depend on the evaluation of the RTWPBs.

The Dole official indicated that there may be a possibility that wage increase will be given before President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo turns over the presidential post.

“There will always be the possibility of a decision within the administration for the simple reason that experience tells us that the boards are able to make a decision within 30 to 60 days from petition,” Lagunzad said.

He said that the boards are also considering the effects of the El Niño phenomenon to the workers and businesses as well as the forthcoming Labor Day. (FP/Sunnex)