RTWPB-XI...
regional economy with a share of 4.7% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
"The poorest among us are those living in the rural areas, which is understandable because most of the opportunities are found in the urban areas. Ang hagit kanatong tanan (Our challenge) is to disperse development so that it could reach even the geographically isolated areas. Because what is the development that we want? It is one that is sustainable, one that is inclusive," Cariño added.
Hike petitions
Lawyer Proculo Sarmen, regional vice president of ALUTUCP, said the TUCP is seeking P413 additional daily minimum wage in Region 10, "recognizing the value of health, safety, and life when the epidemic struck workers with sicknesses, deaths, anxiety, fear, depression, and grief."
He added that adjustment is also considering the impact of price increases since the last Wage Orders, and the March 10 Philippine Central Bank inflation projection for 2022.
Sarmen said the petition wage increase is comprised of the food requirement based on the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) Pinggang Pinoy Model at P358.52, increase in prices based on PSA data at P36.79, and the Central Bank projected 2022 inflation (5.1%) at P18.62. Thus, coming up with the P413 additional daily minimum wage for the region.
For their part, the Oro Chamber of Commerce recommended applying wage orders only to nonunionized establishments as well as adopting a productivity-based minimum wage policy. They also cited that rising inflation could be addressed by lifting the excise tax on fuel.
Also noting the businesses that are still recovering from the pandemic, the chamber "recommends the P35 daily wage increase to the current P365 in Region 10."
Within 30 days after the conclusion of the last hearing, RTWPB-10 shall decide on the merits of the petition, and where appropriate, issue a wage order establishing the regional minimum wage rates to be paid by employers, which shall in no case be lower than the applicable statutory minimum wage rates. (RTP/PIA-10)