CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA – The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board Central Luzon (RTWPBIII) is set to hold series of provincial public hearings on minimum wage adjustment for workers in private establishments and kasambahays in the region.
DOLE Regional Director Geraldine M. Panlilio, chairperson of RTWPB Central Luzon, said that the Wage Board received petitions for wage increase for minimum wage earners in the private sector starting February this year.
According to RD Panlilio, the Wage Board has reviewed the petitions and decided to hold public hearings for all provinces to determine the merit of the petitions and to get the sentiments and positions of the workers, employers, and other stakeholders.
The public hearings will kick off on 20 April 2022, from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon, at the The Orchid Gardens in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Succeeding public hearings will be on 22 April 2022 at DJ Paradise Resort in Malolos City, Bulacan; 26 April 2022 at Las Marianas Garden Resort in Abucay, Bataan; 27 April 2022 at Royal Park Restaurant in SBFZ, Zambales; 05 May 2022 at AMCO Beach Resort in Baler, Aurora; 11 May 2022 at Max’s Restaurant in Tarlac City, Tarlac; and 12 May 2022 at Harvest Hotel in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
“We invite workers, employers, stakeholders, and other interest groups to attend the scheduled provincial public hearings and submit position papers for us to know your stand on the petition for minimum wage adjustment. After the public hearings, we will deliberate and decide on the matter taking into consideration the needs of the workers and their families, capacity of employers to pay, and existing socio-economic condition in the region,” RD Panlilio said.
The prevailing daily minimum wage rates in Central Luzon (except Aurora) range from P395 to P420 depending on the number of employees and sector. In Aurora, the daily minimum wage rates range from P304 to P369.
For kasambahays or domestic workers, the prevailing monthly minimum wage is P4,500 in chartered cities and 1st class municipalities while P4,000 in other municipalities.
Household employers, domestic workers, homeowners’ associations, private recruitment agencies, and domestic workers’ associations are encouraged to attend the public hearings for kasambahay.
The Wage Board is composed of the DOLE Regional Director as chairperson, NEDA and DTI Regional Directors as vice-chairpersons, and two (2) representatives each from the labor and employer sectors.