TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) – Over 350,000 minimum wage earners from the private sector in Cagayan Valley are expected to receive the 2nd tranche of P15.00 wage increase effective April 1, 2024, according to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) here.

Based on Wage Order No. RTWPB2-22 which was approved on Sept. 21, 2023, a P30 increase was divided into two equal tranches; the first tranche of P15.00 was implemented immediately on October 16, 2023 for both non-agriculture and agriculture.

Heidelwina M. Tarrosa, RTWPB 2 Board Secretary, said the minimum wage earners for non-agriculture workers should now be receiving a minimum salary of P450.00, while P430.00 for agriculture workers.

She said the Kasambahay will also receive a minimum wage rate of P5,500, whether live-in (stay-in) or live-out (stay-out) while the other registered Barangay Micro-Business Enterprises (BMBE) who have valid certificate authority under RA 9178 or BMBE law are exempted in the implementation of minimum wage increase.

She further said that the wage increase applies in all cities and municipalities regionwide regardless of income class.

“The primary mandates of RTWPB are to set the minimum wage, especially for those most vulnerable workers who are unskilled workers or new graduates, so that they will not be abused by their employers to just receive whatever their compensation is,” Tarrosa said during the 17th episode of the Consumer-CONNECT.

Tarrosa said the minimum wage that has been approved by the Board is reasonable based on the productivity level of private companies.

“When a company's productivity level rises, it will result in the satisfaction of consumers and cause better quality and lower prices of products and services, but if the Board sets it too high, it will force them [employers] to pass on the increased wages to consumers by increasing the price of their products and services,” the Board Secretary said.

Meanwhile, RTWPB also offers Productivity Toolbox, a training and skills development program that aims to expand their knowledge and skills to be more effective in their jobs.

The Productivity Toolbox contains the National Wages and Productivity Commission’s various productivity and technical assistance programs to improve the ability and motivation of businesses to adopt productivity-enhancing technologies for continued business development and growth.

Tarrosa said those who are interested in availing their services may visit their office or official Facebook page at fb.com/rtwpbr2 or through their hotline at 0936-636-5150. (ALM/ADS/PIA Region 2))