ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) started on Tuesday the conduct of public consultations to determine whether there is a need for a wage hike in Region 9.
The first consultation was held in this city. It will be followed on March 7 in Isabela City; March 13, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay; March 14, Pagadian City; and, March 15, Dipolog City.
Joel Ijirani, RTWPB secretary, told the Philippine News Agency that those who attended the first public consultation were from the employer and labor sectors and other stakeholders.
Ijirani said they discussed the socio-economic indicators such as the inflation rate and consumer price index during the consultation.
He said all the data taken during the consultations would be collated to be used as basis in the decision-making by the wage board.
He said they are taking actions motu propio despite there was no petition for wage hike from the workers sector.
The last time the RTWPB issued a wage order in the region was on October 1, 2016.
The existing wages of workers based on Wage Order No. 19 are as follows: PHP277, plantation workers; PHP267, non-plantation workers; PHP283, retail service establishments; PHP267, cottage handicraft enterprises; and, PHP296, non-agricultural including private hospitals, educational institutions, security agencies, janitorial and retail/service establishments.
The wage board consisted of two representatives each from the employers and workers sectors, and one each from the National Economic Development Authority and Department of Trade and Industry.
Ofelia Domingo, as Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regional director, sits as the Board chair. (R. G. Antonet Go/PNA)
