Bicol Region may have a new minimum wage soon

LEGAZPI CITY Mar 5 – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Bicol has recently concluded their deliberation, review and study critical indicators pertaining to the current minimum wage in the region on possible wage increase for private sectors. Present during the deliberation were RTWPB Chairman DOLE Bicol Regional Director Joel M. Gonzales, Vice-Chairpersons DTI RO5 RD Engr. Jocelyn LB. Blanco, CESO II and NEDA RO5 RD Agnes E. Tolentino, CESO III, Workers Representatives Lopino R. Mendoza and Dante L. Encinas, also Marcelo S. Tan and Edgardo T. Navarroza representing Employers’ sector.

Earlier, RTWPB-Bicol conducted series of public hearing on Minimum Wage Adjustment for Public Sector Workers in  Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, Masbate, Catanduanes and Albay provinces to get the pulse of the stakeholders specially the workers and the management on the possible wage increase.

“We have not received any petition for wage increase. What the board is doing is Motu Proprio following the anniversary of the current minimum wage thus the scheduled Public Consultations and Wage Hearings” RTWPB Chairperson Joel M. Gonzales said.

The consultations focused on the specific highlights namely:  Socio-Economic Situations. Price Trends on Basic and Prime Commodities, Wage Updates on Private Sector Workers. Workshop on Poverty Threshold and Presentation of Outputs followed by Open Forum.

The last stint of public forum for Albay province was held at the Casablanca Convention Center, Peñaranda St., this city on March 4, 2020.

A New Wage Order for private sectors may soon be issued by the RTWPB-Bicol. (NMmdl)