Cagayan Valley workers get P20–P40 wage increase

TUGUEGARAO CITY — The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Cagayan Valley has approved a P20 to P40 daily minimum wage increase for private sector workers in the region.

The board set the increase at P20 for the non-agriculture sector and P40 for workers in the agriculture sector, following a series of consultations and public hearings conducted across the region. The new wage order took effect on Wednesday.

Jesus Elpidio Atal Jr., Department of Labor and Employment director in the region and RTWPB chair, said the adjustment raised the daily basic pay to P500 for both non-agricultural and agricultural workers.

Before the increase, the prevailing minimum wages were P480 for non-agriculture and P460 for agriculture.

Exempted from the wage hike are retail and service establishments with fewer than 10 employees.

In a separate wage order, domestic workers or “kasambahay” have been granted a P500 monthly increase, setting their minimum monthly pay at P6,500 across the region, regardless of a city or municipality’s income classification.

Although the board did not receive formal petitions for wage adjustments, it initiated a wage review on June 17 this year to assess and determine necessary changes to the prevailing rates.

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Atal said the RTWPB may motu proprio (on its own initiative) initiate a wage review under the Omnibus Rules on Minimum Wage Determination.