ILIGAN CITY (PIA) -- Around 50 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Iligan and Lanao del Norte participated in the "Usapang 2Ps: Pasahod at Productivity” training program of the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-10 in coordination with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Lanao del Norte Provincial Field Office.

The training aimed to educate entrepreneurs on New Wage Order No. RX-22 and New Wage Order for Domestic Workers, Wage Order No. RX-DW-04. Additionally, discussions addressed wage distortion issues and proposed solutions, as well as productivity training such as providing incentives to workers and service quality techniques.

“Through this training program, we aim to empower each and every one of you with invaluable insights and practical strategies to effectively manage wages and enhance productivity within industries,” said Joseph Nathan Fabrega of DOLE Lanao del Norte.

With the issuance of Wage Order No. RX 22 by the RTWPB, private sector wage earners in northern Mindanao will receive a P33 daily wage increase. Two tranches will implement the increase: a P23 increase effective January 11 and an additional P10 increase starting July 1. After July 1, the new minimum wage for non-agricultural workers will be P438 (Category 1) and P423 (Category 2), while agricultural workers will receive P426 (Category 1) and P411 (Category 2).  

Category 1 comprises cities such as Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Gingoog, El Salvador, and Ozamiz, and municipalities like Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Opol, Maramag, Quezon, Manolo Fortich, and Lugait. On the other hand, Category 2 includes cities such as Oroquieta and Tangub, along with municipalities like Laguindingan, Mambajao, and Balingasag. Additionally, it covers all areas not specified in the aforementioned categories, as well as retail and service establishments with a workforce of no more than 10 individuals.

Moreover, Wage Order No. RX-DW-04 introduces a monthly wage increase of P500–P1,500 for domestic workers (kasambahay) in Region 10. This increases the monthly minimum wage rate for domestic workers from P3,500–4,500 to P5,000, effective January 11, 2024.

Marc Claro of Heaven’s Bakehouse in Iligan City expressed gratitude for the training program. Notably, their bakery is one of the awardees of the 2023 Productivity Olympics Industry by RTWPB-10. He highlighted the significance of providing incentives beyond the wage increase to motivate employees and enhance productivity. 

He also shared that Heaven’s Bakehaus provides various incentives for its employees, such as rewards for meeting daily production targets and a certain percentage bonus for achieving sales quotas, in addition to their regular salary. They also offer fringe benefits like birthday tokens and even cellphone loads to aid in communication. Moreover, permanent staff members receive additional cash incentives for punctuality and absences, and at the end of the year, they receive bonuses on top of their 13th-month pay.

“Kana makahatag og healthy work environment sa establishment at the same time makatabang sa workers, maka-help sa kumpanya. Kung maayo ang working relationship, harmony, maayo ang pagpadagan sa negosyo, so bibo ug healthy,” he said.

[It can provide a healthy work environment in the establishment while also helping the workers, benefiting the company. With good working relationships, harmony, and a positive business outlook, the workplace becomes lively and healthy.]

Meanwhile, Lawyer Gretchen Lamayan of RTWPB said they actively provide information drives for wage orders through face-to-face and online sessions. 

“In line with our mandate, we are proactively advocating and cascading the wage order, even if effective January 11, many are unaware of or do not fully understand its provisions. We are actively advocating, not just face-to-face, but we have webinars, and we are active on Facebook. Daghan jud mangutana. We receive a lot of inquiries. And we promptly respond, even on weekends, especially regarding concerns about wages," she said.

RTWPB conducted province-by-province sessions, starting with Bukidnon, Valencia, and Camiguin before reaching Iligan and Lanao del Norte. Misamis Occidental will host the next session. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)