MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment’s new PHP-25 wage hike for workers in Metro Manila is “enough” but still subject to change, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark when sought for a comment on the DOLE’s new wage order where minimum wage earners in Metro Manila will receive an additional PHP25, making the minimum salary from PHP512 to PHP537 in the non-agriculture sector.
“Well, there has been deliberation on wage board; and apparently, that’s the decision. So, let’s see,” Panelo said.
According to the DOLE, three regional wage boards, including the Regional Tripartite Productivity and Wages Board-National Capital Region (RTPWB-NCR), issued new wage orders ranging from PHP10 to PHP25 across different sectors in the regions.
Panelo said he found the wage hike reasonable enough but noted that economic conditions could either decrease of increase the wage hike.
“Presently, that is what they found out, that’s enough. But I guess it’s always subject to change, depending on the economic conditions,” he added.
Aside from Metro Manila, RTEPBs-2 (Cagayan Valley) and 4-B (Mimaropa) also issued new wage orders raising daily minimum wage from PHP10 to PH20.
In Region 2, the board approved a PHP10 per basic wage increase and PHP10 per day COLA last October 22. Upon the effectivity of wage order RTWPB 02-19, the new daily minimum wage rates will range from PHP320 to PHP360, across different sectors.
For workers in Region 4-B, a PHP12 to PHP20 per day basic wage increase was approved by the board, bringing the new daily minimum wage to PHP283 to PHP320 across different sectors upon effectivity of wage order RB-Mimaropa-09.
The wage adjustments will be effective 15 days from its publication in a newspaper of general circulation. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
