THE Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Davao announced Friday that it is set to implement a P11 increase in basic wages and integrate the P15 cost of living allowance (Cola) mandated under Wage Order RB XI-17 effective June 1.
RTWPB-Davao Region chairman of the board Joffrey Suyao, in an emailed statement, said the minimum wage hike is set to be imposed by virtue of the Wage Order RB XI-18.
Starting on June 1, non-agricultural workers will receive P312 per day while those working in the agricultural sector will have P302 per day. Those employed in establishments with less than 10 workers, meanwhile, will get P281 per day.
Along with the P11 wage hike, the wage order is also set to implement a P5 additional Cola effective on December 1.
"The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-Region 11 unanimously decided to grant the new wage adjustments in line with the full implementation of the two-tiered wage system (TTWS) to raise the lowest statutory wage rate in the Region to a level above the poverty threshold,” Suyao.
Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Mindanao spokesperson Joel Maglunsod, in an interview with Sun.Star Davao, said it is a positive decision for the P11 wage hike, yet it is still a small victory for the workers claiming that the increase is not enough.
"Ato pa gyud gihapon gigiit karon for legislation ang House Bill (HB) 253 o ang P125 across-the-board nationwide wage hike. Although positive siya para sa mga trabahante nato, wala man ta nanlimos kay kaning increase nila sa suhulan ug COLA sinsilyo ra ni (We are still pushing for the legislation of the HB 253 or the P125 across-the-board nationwide wage hike. Although this is positive for our workers, we are not begging for alms since this increase in wage and COLA is merely spare change)," Maglunsod said.
He said the Department of Trade and Industry should also lower the amounts of the basic commodities to alleviate poverty in the country.
Copies of Wage Order RB XI-18 are available at the RTWPB-XI Office at the 2 Floor, R & T Yap Building, Bangoy-Monteverde Streets, Davao City and at the www.nwpc.dole.gov.ph, the RTWPB announced.