THE regional wage board in the National Capital Region (NCR) has adjusted the minimum wage by P25 a day, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III announced Monday, November 5.

This would bring the daily minimum wage in Metro Manila to P527. With an additional P10 cost of living allowance, minimum wage workers will receive a total amount of P537 daily.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Monday, November 5, that the adjustment granted by the National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board is enough to help workers meet their basic needs.

Pressed if the wage hike was enough for workers to cope with the soaring prices of goods, Panelo said, "perhaps, presently, that's what they have found out. That's enough. But I guess, it's always subject to change, depending on the economic conditions."

Prior to the adjustment, the minimum wage for Metro Manila is P502 with P10 cost of living allowance.

The approved amount is closer to the proposed P20 wage increase proposed by the Employers Confederation of the Philippines, but far below the P334 requested by the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines. (SunStar Philippines)