Manila: Ten Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs) have issued their respective orders granting a hike in the daily minimum wage of private sector workers, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Tuesday. In a statement, Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma specified that these wage boards include the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 1 (Ilocos), 2 (Cagayan Valley), 3 (Central Luzon), 4-A (Calabarzon), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), and 12 (Soccsksargen).

According to Philippines News Agency, out of the ten RTWPBs, four boards-Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas-approved a pay hike for domestic workers, known locally as kasambahay. Secretary Laguesma noted that six RTWPBs have not yet issued wage orders. These regions include the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Regions 4-B (Mimaropa), 5 (Bicol), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao), and 13 (Caraga).

RTWPBs in the Cordillera Administrative Regi
on and Mimaropa are in the final stages of their minimum wage determination process. Northern Mindanao and Caraga RTWPBs began their minimum wage determination processes last month. In contrast, RTWPB 11 is scheduled to start its minimum wage determination process in January 2025.

Secretary Laguesma also reported that RTWPB 5 has postponed the wage determination process due to the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, internationally known as Trami. The board plans to closely monitor and assess recovery and conditions in the region over the next three months. He added that all wage orders were initiated motu proprio, indicating that the boards acted on their initiative.

Through the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards, DOLE has been actively working to improve the wages of both private sector workers and domestic workers, Laguesma stated.