Bicol's minimum wage earners to get pay increase

Photo courtesy of DOLE Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY - Minimum wage earners in Bicol Region will receive an additional increase ranging from PhP20.00 to PhP30.00 in their daily wage to be given in two tranches; fifteen pesos (P15.00) upon the effectivity of the Order on September 21, 2018 for all establishments regardless of the number of workers, and another increase of P5.00 and P15.00 on May 1, 2019 for those employing 10 workers and above and those employing 1 to 9 workers, respectively.

Thereby the effective minimum wage rates shall be from PhP290 to PhP310 (for establishments employing 10 workers and above) and from PhP280 to PhP310 (for establishments employing 1 to 9 workers).

This, after the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC) affirmed Wage Order No. RBV-19, the newest wage order issued by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board 5 (RTWPB 5).

“The adjustment of the minimum wage rate is one of the measures of the government to provide workers with immediate relief spurred by high prices of basic goods and services,” said DOLE Regional Director Atty. Alvin M. Villamor, who chairs the RTWPB-5.

He added that the increase in the minimum wage rate was the result of the series of consultations and public hearing conducted by the Board.

The prevailing socio-economic conditions of the region as well as the viability of various business were among those considered by the Board in coming up with the amount.

Under Wage Order No. RBV – 19, the wage rate per day shall apply to all minimum wage earners in the private sector in the region regardless of their position, designation or status of employment and irrespective of the method by which they are paid.

Atty. Villamor added, “we also encourage those establishments in the wholesale and retail trade, construction industry to come up with productivity-based pay schemes that will allow for higher performance/ productivity of the enterprise and income among its workers.”

Excluded from the order, however, are kasambahays or domestic workers covered by Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361), persons in the personal service of another, and workers of duly registered Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBEs) with Certificates of Authority pursuant to RA 9178, as amended, and also provided under the Go Negosyo Act of 2013 (RA 10644).