Davao minimum wage hiked, says DOLE

MANILA, Philippines—Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced on Thursday night that the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Region 11 (Davao Region) in Mindanao has granted a P15- hike in the daily minimum wage of workers in the private sector in that region.

“The RTWPB-Region 11, after determining the need to restore the lost purchasing power of minimum wage earners in the Davao Region for them to cope with the rising cost of living, but without impairing the productivity and viability of business and industry in the region, has issued Wage Order No. RB XI-17 providing for a new minimum wage rate,” Baldoz said.

“The wage order integrates into the basic wage the cost of living allowance of P15 provided for under a previous wage order, Wage Order No. RB XI-16, and provides for a P15 cost of living allowance, P5 of which will take effect after the issuance of the new wage order and the balance of P10 to take effect on May 1, 2012,” she added.

Baldoz was briefed about the order by National Wage and Productivity Commission executive director Ciriaco Lagunzad Jr. and DOLE Region 7 regional director Joffrey Suyao, chair of RTWPB-Region 11.

“The new wage hike will take effect upon the confirmation by the NWPC of the new wage order and 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation,” Baldoz added.

Based on Wage Order No. RB XI-17, minimum wage earners in the non-agriculture sector in Davao Region will now receive a P291-daily wage, while workers in the agriculture sector will receive a daily wage of P281.

On the other hand, retail/service workers in companies with more than 10 workers will receive P291 daily pay, while those in establishments with not more than 10 workers will get P260 in daily pay, after the wage order takes effect.

Effective May 1, 2012, workers in the non-agriculture sector will have a new minimum wage of P301, while those in the non-agriculture sector will receive P291 in daily wage. The daily rate for workers in establishments with more than 10 workers will by then receive P301 daily pay, while those in companies with less than 10 workers will receive P270 in daily pay.

The wage order provides that the prescribed wage rates apply to all workers and employees in the private sector receiving the minimum wage regardless of position, designation, or status of employment and the method by which their wages are paid. It does not cover household or domestic helpers, family drivers, persons employed in the personal service of another, and workers in registered Barangay Micro Business Enterprises.