WAGE hikes in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and Mimaropa are expected to come within this month, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).
In a press briefing, NWPC Executive Director Maria Criselda Sy said minimum wage earners in CAR and Region IVB can expect their respective Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) to issue the wage orders within the month.
“By our estimates, the two regions are in the final stages of the wage review process, and could be released within December,” said Sy.
“The CAR and Mimaropa wage boards are in the final stages of discussion of their wage orders,” she added.
Currently, wage orders have been issued by the RTWPBs of the National Capital Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccsksargen.
Still to issue wage orders are the wage boards of Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao Region, and Bicol Region.
The NWPC noted that the Northern Mindanao and Caraga wage boards started their minimum wage determination processes last November 2024.
The Davao Region wage board is scheduled to begin its minimum wage determination process by January 2025.
Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the RTWPB – Bicol Region will just issue its wage order “at the proper time.”
He said this is due to the wage board’s decision to defer its wage review process in the aftermath of the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Kristine.
“We all know what happened in Region V so they requested the deferment of their wage deliberation in order to give employers and employees the chance to recover,” he said.
“Not all regions will see their wage adjustments… Bicol Region will have theirs at the proper time,” added Laguesma.
